A silicon nitride reference material for ceramic design

A research program organised by the Technical Committee 6 "Ceramics" of the European Structural Integrity Society (ESIS) is presented. A complete set of material properties and data required for design will be measured for a commercially available silicon nitride ceramic. The data set will comprise relevant strength and crack extension parameters as well as cyclic fatigue data at room and also at elevated temperatures. Results related with contact and wear responses will be presented.