Experimental Mechanics cover

Refractory materials shall not crack even if subjected to large temperature gradients
Refractory materials are used, among other, in the glass industry, e.g. St Gobain. In this study, we carry out an experimental and modelling dialogue for cohesive zone identification and later prediction for possible cracking in refractory ceramics used in high temperature furnaces, due to thermal gradient. Two scale experimental data (force-displacement curve and DIC) at high temperature DIC (up to 1200°C) on wedge tests are used to calibrate cohesive model parameters. The use of two scale information is shown necessary for reliable identification.

This paper has been selected for the Experimental Mechanics journal cover of volume 60 issue 5.

Fracture and Cohesive Parameter Identification of Refractories by Digital Image Correlation Up to 1200°C
A. Doitrand, R.Estevez, M.Thibault, P.Leplay
Experimental Mechanics 60 (2020) 577-590 (https://doi.org/10.1007/s11340-020-00584-7)