A method to determine the macroscopic toughness scatter of brittle materials

An experimental procedure is developed to determine the scatter of the macroscopic toughness of brittle materials. First, samples are precracked to obtain a sharp precrack. The toughness is then determined by using a standard three-point flexural test. Digital image correlation is used to analyze displacement fields of cracked samples. Based upon the resolution and the spatial resolution of the measurement technique, a detection criterion is proposed and validated. It allows for an accurate estimate of the crack tip location so that the presence of a crack and its size at arrest can be monitored. As an example, the toughness distribution of 18 samples made of silicon carbide is evaluated. By using a simple macro-micro transition, an analysis of the scatter in toughness is related to that in strength for the material with no macrocracks.