Analysis of fracture initiation angle in some cracked ceramics using the generalized maximum tangential stress criterion

Brittle fracture in ceramics sometimes occurs under combined opening-sliding (or mixed mode I/II) crack deformation. In this paper, a generalized maximum tangential stress criterion is employed for predicting the fracture initiation angle under mixed mode I/II loading in some brittle ceramics including alumina, zirconia, soda lime glass and three silicon based ceramics. The experimental results reported for the fracture angles in these ceramics have been obtained from fracture tests on the centrally cracked circular disc (often called the Brazilian disc). Very good agreement is shown to exist between the experimental results and the theoretical predictions. According to the fracture model, the mixed mode fracture angle is strongly dependent on the elastic T-stress in the tested ceramics. The negative T-stress that exists in the Brazilian disc specimen can be the main influencing parameter for decreasing the fracture initiation angle in the investigated ceramics.