Abstract
AE monitoring was conducted during proof tests of the high-purity alumina ceramics in order to detect microdamages which might degradate the strength of surviving components. The tested material in this study is the bioceramics used in artificial joints for total hip replacement (THR). Surviving specimens showed two types of AE behaviors, with or without increasing point of AE energy. Specimens without increasing point of AE energy showed higher residual strength than specimens with the AE increasing point. In addition, the average strength of specimens without increasing point of AE energy was higher than specimens which survived the conventional proof test. The AE source location during measured residual strength demonstrated that the maincrack formed during proof tests were propagated to final unstable fracture during residual strength tests. Consequently, it was understood that the proof test with AE monitoring of microdamage enhances significantly the reliability of bioceramics.
