1139 Residual Strength and Microcrack Monitoring during Proof Tests of Alumina for Artificial Joints
Details
Microdamages during four point bending proof tests were monitored by AE technique, and residual strengths of specimens which survived proof tests were investigated. Two AE behaviors, with and without increasing point of AE energy, were observed in proof tests. Specimens without increasing point of AE energy had higher residual strengths than specimens with increasing point of AE energy. AE source locations during proof tests and residual strength measurements demonstrated that the microcrack formed during proof tests were propagated to final unstable fracture during residual strength tests. Consequently, it was understood that proof test with AE technique which could detect microdamages during proof test insured higher reliability than proof test without AE technique.
