Assignment – II
Methods of Strengthening the brittle materials
Development of compressive stresses Interrupting crack propagation
• Chemical tempering • Crystalline reinforcement
• Thermal tempering • Transformation toughening
• Thermal compatibility • Heat treatment ceramming
• Glazing
1. Development of Compressive Stresses
(i) Ion Exchange or chemical tempering - This process involves the exchange
of larger K+ ions for the smaller Na+ ions (a common constituent of a variety of
glasses).
By placing the glass in a bath of molten potassium nitrate, K+ ions in the
bath exchange places with some of Na+ of the glass particles. The K+ is larger
than the Na+. Crowding of the K+ ions in place previously occupied by the
smaller ion creates residual compressive stresses in the surfaces of the glass.
(ii) Thermal tempering - Rapidly cooling the glass surface while the centre is
hot and in the molten state produces a skin of rigid glass surrounding the
molten core.
As the molten core solidifies it tends to shrink. The pull of the solidifying
molten core, as it shrinks, creates residual compressive stresses within the
outer surface.
(iii) Thermal compatibility - The coefficient mismatch between the crystal and
matrix → microcracks between crystals and glass phase.
Also, coefficient of porcelain should be less than metal as it will be
contract more than porcelain placing ceramic under compression.
(iv) Glazing - By coating the core ceramic with a thin layer of a veneering
ceramic having a slightly lower (CTE). This mismatch allows the core material to
contract slightly more upon cooling; leaving the veneering ceramic in residual
compression. Also, it reduces depth and width of surface flows so that → crack
propagation resistance.
2. Interrupting Crack Propagation
(i) Crystalline Re-enforcement - Ex. Alumina, Leucite, Zirconia
Act as crack deflector or stopper so resistance to cracks, also these crystals
have higher CTE than glass matrix → upon cooling result in stress in glass
surrounding the crystals.
(ii) Transformation Toughness - Zirconia (ZrO2) ceramic is a good example.
The material is polymorph occurring in three forms: monoclinic (M) at room
temperature, tetragonal (T) ≥ 1170°C and cubic(C) ≥ 2370°C.
Transformation from the monoclinic to the tetragonal phase → 5% volume
decrease.
Reversely, during cooling, the transformation from the tetragonal to the
monoclinic phase → 3% volume expansion.
The inhibition of these transformations can be achieved by adding stabilizing
oxides (CaO, MgO, Y2O3), which allow the existence of tetragonal-phase
particles at room temperature.
When stress develops in the tetragonal structure and a crack in the area begins
to propagate, the tetragonal grains transform to monoclinic grains.
The associated volume expansion results in compressive stresses at the edge of
the crack and extra energy is required for the crack to propagate further.
(iii) Heat Treatment Cerraming - Glass ceramic is fabricated in vitreous state
then by heat treatment converted to crystalline phase (partial devitrification).
Ex. Dicor & Cerapearl