Parameters for measuring the thermal shock of ceramic materials with an indentation-quench method

An indentation-quench method for measuring thermal shock has been evaluated. Experimental parameters such as sample thickness, initial crack length, and water bath temperature were surveyed. It was found that one single sample could be used throughout a whole test series of different quenching temperatures. The method can detect small differences in thermal shock resistance between materials, and was applicable to investigating thermal fatigue. The tested materials were two β-sialons with intergranular glass phase and with completely different thermal shock behaviour. The best resolution was obtained with a sample diameter Ø=12 mm, height h=4 mm, initial crack length=100 μm. and a water bath temperature=90 °C.