Testing of ceramics parts 2

Quantative analysis for bulk/elemental composition of inorganic solids like ceramics and glasses can be performed using a number of different methods. All of the following methods are capable of reporting major/minor elements, as well as trace elements:

AAS - Atomic Absorption Spectrometry
ICP-AES - Inductively Coupled Plasma - Atomic Emission Spectroscopy
OES - Optical Emission Spectroscopy
SSMS - Spark Source Mass Spectrometry

Major component is > 10 weight (mass) %
Minor component is 0.1 to 10 weight %
Trace component is 1 to 1000 ppm or 0.0001 to 0.1 weight %

The following are ASTM test methods that may be of use to you for information regarding hardness and wear testing.

ASTM C 1326 - 99 Standard Test Method for Knoop Indentation Hardness of Advanced Ceramics

ASTM C 1327 - 99 Standard Test Method for Vickers Indentation Hardness of Advanced Ceramics

ASTM C 501 - 84 Standard Test Method for Relative Resistance to Wear of Unglazed Ceramic Tile by the Taber Abraser

ASTM C 1243 - 93 Standard Test Method for Relative Resistance to Deep Abrasive Wear of Unglazed Ceramic Tile by Rotating Disc

You can obtain these standards directly from ASTM at .

An excellent article on hardness testing of ceramics appeared in the August 1998 issue of Advanced Materials & Processes. You can to obtain a copy of this article (hardcopy or possibly electronically) from ASM International using the following link:

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in particular this gentleman