Numerical modeling edge chipping tests of ceramics

Features of an experimental method and numerical modeling for determination of the edge-chipping resistance of glass and ceramics using a conical diamond Rockwell indenter (with a tip radius of 200 μm) are presented. The ANSYS finite-element modeling of fracture-resistance tests on such brittle materials at meso scale level is discussed. The three-dimensional static nonlinear contact problem for a Rockwell indenter impressed into a deformable solid body is solved. Fracture of the materials under such mechanical loading are studied through a numerical analysis of the transformation of the displacement, strain and stress fields depending on test parameters. It is shown that correct test data can be obtained if the indenter is impressed into the specimen within the zone of the edge effect. If the ceramic material is similar to the model material of linear elastic mechanics, it is reasonable to limit the distance between the edge of the specimen and the load application point to 300 μm.