Strength analysis of small-sized thin ceramic discs obtained by spark-plasma sintering

The study develops an original method of mechanical test of thin small-size disks for determining resistance of brittle materials to rupture. Based on this method a test of ultimate flexture strenght was conducted on Al₂O₃ ceramics and composites of β–Si₅AlON₇–BN, system obtained by the method of spark-plasma sintering. The obtained test results allowed determining the optimal process parameters for sintering this ceramic materials in terms of their strength level: composition and dispersion of the starting powder mixtures, the maximum sintering temperature, etc. (paper)