Premium
Microstructural Characterization of Structural Ceramics Using Image Processing and Analysis
Author(s) -
Hefter Jesse,
Hecker Arlene,
Mahoney F. Michael,
Harris Jody E.
Publication year - 1993
Publication title -
journal of the american ceramic society
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.9
H-Index - 196
eISSN - 1551-2916
pISSN - 0002-7820
DOI - 10.1111/j.1151-2916.1993.tb03938.x
Subject(s) - materials science , grain size , flexural strength , ceramic , fracture toughness , composite material , characterization (materials science) , hot pressing , anisotropy , silicon nitride , microstructure , yttria stabilized zirconia , grain boundary strengthening , mineralogy , grain growth , grain boundary , optics , cubic zirconia , nanotechnology , geology , layer (electronics) , physics
Digital imaging and analysis methods are applied to the quantitative study of microstructural changes which occur during hot‐pressing of yttria‐doped silicon nitride. Effects of processing changes upon the grain growth and microstructural anisotropy are described. Relationships between grain cross‐sectional area and mechanical properties are established. It was found that, over the range of processing conditions used, increases in grain size correlated strongly with an increase in fracture toughness. The grain size distribution broadened significantly with hot‐press time, resulting in reduced flexural strength. Although no significant change in the mean grain shape factor was observed, the variance in shape factor decreased as the hot‐press time was extended.