Point Defects in Amorphous Ceramics and Their Strengthening Effect

4 Point Defects in Amorphous Ceramics and Their Strengthening (Effect) 

The most representative amorphous ceramics are the various glasses, among them the well-known silica glass. There are various silicate ceramics, such as oxide and halide glasses. Amorphous ceramics can be obtained by several means  

Shear deformation was observed in the tension test indicating some ductility of these glasses before fracture. Ductile fracture of the specimen is generally characterized by shp bands and necking down before fracture. 

These ductile features of these glasses may be observed microscopically in Fig. 3.18a and b, respectively. However, the stress—strain curves of these Zr-based amorphous glasses did not display appreciable macroscopic plastic deformation prior to catastrophic fracture, rather they mainly deformed elastically, followed by catastrophic failure along their shear bands. Examination of the fracture regions 

As mentioned above, one of the methods to amorphisize ceramics is by ion irradiation. Changes in strength properties occur following irradiation due to irradiation-induced structural modifications. Hardness measurement is an accepted method for evaluating the properties of ceramics after irradiation in the wake of atomic displacements. Information on ionization-induced changes in materials is particularly important in nuclear applications, where it is essential to evaluate reactor lifetimes. It is important to know the mechanical properties of materials 

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