Association between crack morphology of ceramic floor tiles with their mechanical behavior in fracture

Abstract

This study analyzed data obtained from bending tests of a batch of 40 samples of ceramic tiles, identically prepared in according to the Brazilian test standard NBR 13818: 1997. The Flexural or bending strength data obtained from the tests, in the form of stress vs. deflection curve, were statistically evaluated. Detailed statistical analysis showed two different subgroups of mechanical behavior exhibited by the ceramic samples tested. The fractographic analysis of representative samples from these two groups showed significant morphological differences in the fracture of these samples obtained during test. These differences could be associated with the mechanical behavior exhibited by analyzed samples.

Keywords:
ceramic plate; mechanical strength; fractography