High temperature strength of Mo/PSZ composities as evaluated by MSP test (I)

The mechanical properties of molybdenum/partially stabilized zirconia (PSZ) composites were investigated from room temperature to 1573K by means of modified small punch (MSP) test which has been found to be suitable for the mechanical evaluation of brittle materials. The temperature dependences of the deformation, strength and fracture behavior of the composites were examined in detail. The results of this paper have shown that the high temperature strength can be simply determined by the MSP test and there exists a good linear relationship between MSP strength and conventional 4-point bending strength. Using such correspondence the bending strength can be estimated from the MSP strength.