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Hertzian indentation of thorium dioxide, ThO2

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Abstract

The Hertzian indentation technique was used to study the fracture properties of ThO2 and to measure the fracture surface energy, γ, of sintered ThO2. Optical microscopy and acoustic emission were employed to detect ring crack formation. Perfect cracks were always formed and no indication of permanent plastic deformation was observed. From the observed crack behaviour, a fracture surface energy, γ, of 2.5±0.2 J m−2 at room temperature and a fracture toughness, K Ic, of 1.07 MN m−3/2 were deduced.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Commission of the European Communities Joint Research Centre, Karlsruhe Establishment, European Institute for Transuranium Elements, Postfach 2266, D-7500, Karlsruhe, West Germany

    Hj. Matzke

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  1. Hj. Matzke
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Matzke, H. Hertzian indentation of thorium dioxide, ThO2 . J Mater Sci 15, 739–746 (1980). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00551741

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00551741

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