Abstract
To measure the fracture toughness, KIC of a material, the specimen must have a pecrack of sharp, simple geometry. It is very difficult to use the fatigue precracking method for brittle materials. Therefore, an alternative precracking method is needed and various methods had been examined. But, these methods required a special equipment and a selected specimen to obtain the meaningful fracture toughness value. So, a new simple and effective testing method for brittle materials has been developed. This indentation precracking method (Bridge Indentation method) utilizes a two-step preparation process (primary precracking and pop-in cracking). The fracture toughness values obtained show small scattering and are reliable.
