Acoustic emission characterization of ceramic fracture

Advanced multi-channels acoustic emission system was used to study the fracture process of ceramic subjected by three-point-bending. Compared with the acoustic emission (AE) signals from none-edge-notched and single-edge-notched specimen of ceramic, the pre-made notch played important role on the damage and fracture of ceramic. The results were shown that amplitude of AE changing with loading time reflected the damage state of ceramic, such as the nucleation, the growth, the interaction, the coalesce of micro-cracks and occurrence of macro-cracks. It is indicated that AE technique has been an important means in the studies of the damage and fracture to materials.