Abstract
The thermal shock resistance of ceramics is generally estimated by the critical quenching temperature difference that is defined as the lowest applied temperature difference above which a loss in flexure strength occurrs. However, the critical quenching temperature difference can not always be clarified owing to the dispersion of fracture strength. Therefore, the probabilitical estimation of the thermal shock resistance is essential.
In this paper, the important factors which affect the thermal shock resistance are investigated by experiments using various kinds of ceramics, specimen diameters and quenching media. It is also mentioned that the probability of crack occurrence after thermal shock can be estimated using Weibull statistics theory. Furthermore, the probabilitical evaluation method of critical quenching temperature difference is proposed.
