Recent advances in dynamic indentation fracture, impact damage and fragmentation of ceramics

In this feature article, dynamic indentation-induced deformation and fracture phenomena in brittle solids are related to the deformation behavior and fracture patterns evolved during dynamic impact on structural ceramics. Examples of indentation-induced localized amorphization in boron carbide (B 4C) and differences in fracture characteristics due to static and dynamic indentations on B4C and zirconium diboride-silicon carbide (ZrB2-SiC) ceramic composite are presented. These features are compared with the fracture patterns evolved during the high-velocity ball impact on SiC. The influences of processing-induced (inherent) flaws and deformation-induced flaws on fracture initiation in a brittle material are discussed. Recent developments in analytical modeling of indentation- and impact-induced damage in ceramics and computational efforts on fracture and fragmentation response of ceramics are thoroughly reviewed. Finally, some future research directions are identified. © 2008 The American Ceramic Society