The Strength and Strengthening of Ceramics

The strengthening of ceramics is of great importance for engineering applications, especially at elevated temperamres. Various production processes exist most are based on powder technology and various sintering techniques (after the preparation of a green structure), but fusion or molten processes are also possible, albeit rarely used. Whatever the production technique may be, the aim is to attain a high-density product with minimal flaws (pores, microcracks, etc.). 

Pelleg, Mechanical Properties of Ceramics, Solid Mechanics and Its Applications 213, DOI 10.1007/978-3-319-04492-7 5, Springer International Publishing Switzerland 2014 

These subjects are discussed in this chapter. However, to understand the concept of hardening (strengthening), one must realize that all the aspects of strengthening involve dislocation generation, dislocation movement and the interactions of dislocations with each other or with any of the above-listed entities that might hinder their free motion. 

Intentionally in the present discussion, no differentiation is made between single-crystal and polycrystalhne ceramics and they are used interchangeably, depending on the topics under consideration. 

---