J. Am. Ceram. Soc., 80 [3] 673–79 (1997)

Simple Method for Determining Frictional Sliding Resistance and Frictional Energy Dissipation in Layered Ceramics

Desiderio Kovar*,† and Michael Thouless*,‡

Materials Science and Engineering Department, and Mechanical Engineering and Applied Mechanics Department,

University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109

A method is presented for measuring the frictional sliding II. Analysis resistance between cracked laminae in a layered ceramic (1) Sliding Resistance The first step in the test involves using a wedge to completely crack a weak interface along the length of the specimen. The cracked specimen is then loaded in three-point bending, and the load–deflection response is monitored. A deviation from linearity is observed when the load is sufficiently high for sliding to occur between the upper and lower halves of the specimen. The load at which this nonlinearity is first observed can be related to the interfacial sliding resistance. A model is then developed to relate the energy absorbed during a load–unload cycle to the frictional sliding resistance. The analysis is verified using a model system made from steel, and a ceramic composite made from silicon nitride and boron nitride.