1.1?The objective of this practice is to provide an efficient and consistent methodology to locate and characterize fracture origins in advanced ceramics. It is applicable to advanced ceramics that are brittle; that is, fracture that takes place with little or no preceding plastic deformation. In such materials, fracture commences from a single location which is termed the fracture origin. The fracture origin in brittle ceramics normally consists of some irregularity or singularity in the material which acts as a stress concentrator. In the parlance of the engineer or scientist, these irregularities are termed flaws or defects. The latter word should not be construed to mean that the material has been prepared improperly or is somehow faulty.

1.2?Although this practice is primarily intended for laboratory test piece analysis, the general concepts and procedures may be applied to component fracture analyses as well. In many cases, component fracture analysis may be aided by cutting laboratory test pieces out of the component. Information gleaned from testing the laboratory pieces (for example, flaw types, general fracture features, fracture mirror constants) may then aid interpretation of component fractures. For more information on component fracture analysis, see Refs (1, 2).2

1.3?This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety, health, and environmental practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.

1.4?This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.