Experimental Evidence of Thermal Effects in Multiphase Ceramic Specimens Subjected to Cyclic Loading

Abstract : The aim of this work is to observe and to analyze various phenomena that exist in a multiphase ceramic material subjected to cyclic compressive loads. An infrared camera is used for this purpose. The material under study is an andalusite-based low-cement castable, which exhibits a pre-existing diffused damage (microcracks and debonded interfaces) before mechanical testing. The temperature variation in the specimen during the tests is investigated both at a macroscopic scale and a mesoscopic scale. In the first case, the material compaction, the thermoelastic coupling and the temperature increase due to mechanical dissipation are clearly evidenced. In the second case, local temperature variations related to microcracks are observed. The technique used and the results obtained are described and discussed in the paper.