The purpose of this study is to explore and create a new testing technique for direct tensile testing of brittle materials: Design Manufacturing & Engineering Management Materials Dissertation, UOS, UK

The purpose of this study is to explore and create a new testing technique for direct tensile testing of brittle materials. For this experiment, the brittle materials being tested will be ordinary float glass and aluminum oxide. For this testing to be completed, a sandwich-type model is created with the brittle material on the inside with a higher strain material on the outside on both sides in this case polycarbonate is used. Using this setup, it allows for the model to be gripped properly in the testing setup with it allowing for plastic deformation to take place on the polycarbonate when being gripped. This setup also ensures that the specimen is completely aligned with the loading axis guaranteeing that the sample is only in tension and that no shear components are possible.

Glass and ceramics are very similar in nature, the properties which they have and the uses which they are used for. Accurate testing is required for these materials to ensure that when used in industry, the strength of the material is large enough to withstand the application of what it is being implemented to do. This ensures that it is safe to use certain materials.

The testing is completed in this study is that of 3-point bending and an adapted method of the common direct tensile test with the aim to compare the results and in doing so validate this new method of direct tensile testing as an accurate and useful method to be used and implemented for the testing of brittle materials.