Technique for tensile creep testing of ceramics

The effect of hot isostatic pressing on the bend strength of ZrO2-3 mol% Y2O3 was critically dependent on the presintering process. Optimally sintered bodies contained no open porosity and exhibited large increases in strength following hot isostatic pressing. When open porosity of as little as 0.3% persisted after sintering, hot isostatic pressing increased the bulk density, but little or no increase in strength was realized. Two-parameter Weibull analysis of the strength data has been used to quantify the strength improvement obtained following hot isostatic pressing. Typical fracture-initiating flaws have been identified through optical and electron microscopy