The strength of a ceramic material is measured by 3- or 4-points bending strength test. This property represents the maximum value of the tensile stress at which the fracture occurs and it is identified as modulus of rupture (MOR). The bending test replaces the tensile test for ceramic materials, given the difficulty of carrying out the latter. These tests can be carried out on specimens obtained from finished products, or on specimens prepared in the laboratory starting from industrial mixes. In this way, it is possible to obtain useful information about the operating performance of a product, and for the development of industrial mixes.

Technical features of the instrument

The laboratory is equipped with a dynamometer series M/10, MTS (USA). It is characterised by the presence of three load cells (100 N, 2 kN, 50 kN), and a strain gauge integral with the stressed side of the specimen. It is possible to carry out 3- or 4-points bending strength tests.

Services to industry

• 3- or 4-points static bending strength tests: determination of the modulus of rupture (MOR) and modulus of elasticity (E)
• determination of fracture toughness by bending strength tests on suitably indented specimens
• determination of the Weibull modulus, by statistical analysis of the results, to achieve information concerning the reliability of the tested material.

Contact person:
Eng. Barbara Mazzanti – e-mail mazzanti@centroceramico.it
Mobile: +39 340 9631182