Thermal Stress Testing of Advanced Optical Ceramics by a Laser Technique

Abstract

Thermal stress tests are conducted to determine the failure strengths of a material in a thermal stress environment. This can only be done if an accurate thermostructural analysis of the test can be made. An accurate analysis of the test requires a precise definition of both the heat flux and the time of failure. Other thermal stress tests often lack one or both of these requirements. A test technique has been developed, using a flat top laser to provide the heat flux, which offers both a well defined thermal environment and an accurate indication of the time of catastrophic failure. This paper describes the test procedure and the corresponding analytical technique. Additionally the results of some recent tests are presented demonstrating the test applicability.