Fracture toughness modifications by means of CO2 laser beam surface processing of a silicon nitride engineering ceramic

P. P. Shukla, J. Lawrence

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference proceedingpeer-review

1 Citation (Scopus)

Abstract

Surface treatment of an Si 3 N 4 engineering ceramic with a CO 2 laser was carried out to identify changes in the fracture toughness (K 1c ). A Vickers macro hardness indentation method was adopted to determine the K 1C prior to and after the CO 2 laser treatment. After determination of the surface integrity, crack geometry, crack lengths and the dimensions of the diamond indentations, computational and analytical methods were employed to calculate the K 1c . A decrease in the surface hardness of nearly 7% and of 44% in the resulting crack lengths was found after laser treatment. This inherently led to a 64% increase in the K 1c for the Si 3 N 4 . This could have occurred due to melting and redistribution of the melt zone which softened the near (top) surface layer forming a degree of oxidation, causing the surface of the engineering ceramic to transform into a new composition.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationProceedings of the 36th International MATADOR Conference
EditorsS Hinduja, L Li
PublisherSpringer-Verlag London Ltd
Chapter16
Pages519-522
Number of pages4
ISBN (Electronic)9781849964326
ISBN (Print)9781849964319
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 14 Jul 2010
Externally publishedYes
Event36th International MATADOR Conference - Manchester, Lancashire, United Kingdom
Duration: 14 Jul 201016 Jul 2010

Publication series

NameProceedings of the 36th International MATADOR Conference
Volume2010-January

Conference

Conference36th International MATADOR Conference
Country/TerritoryUnited Kingdom
CityManchester, Lancashire
Period14/07/1016/07/10

Keywords

  • CO laser
  • K
  • Si N engineering ceramic

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Control and Systems Engineering

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