CERAMIC FLEXURAL STRENGTH TEST FIXTURE
(ASTM C 1161)

Model No. CU-CF  (low carbon steel
Model No. WTF-CF  (17-4PH stainless)

ASTM C 1161, Four-Point Loading Fixture
Fully Articulated

 
ASTM C 1161, Three-Point Loading Fixture
Semi-Articulated

The Flexural Strength Test for Ceramics is primarily governed by ASTM Standard C 1161 (Reference 1). This particular ASTM standard specifies specific specimen sizes, corresponding to a choice of three support spans, viz., 20, 40, or 80 mm, termed Configurations A, B, and C, respectively. These configurations use specimens 1.5, 3.0, and 6.0 mm thick, respectively. Configuration B is by far the most commonly used. Either three- or four-point loading, and either a semi- or fully-articulated test fixture is permitted.

There also are other ASTM standards for the flexural testing of ceramics and their composites.  For example, ASTM C 1341 (Reference 2) specifically addresses ceramic composites.  It allows a range of specimen sizes and support span-to-specimen thickness ratios.  Both three-point and four-point loading can be used.

ASTM C 1211 (Reference 3) is an extension of ASTM C 1161 for testing at elevated temperatures.  ASTM C 1421 (Reference 4) is an extension for fracture toughness testing.  The test fixtures are the same, however, as for those of ASTM C 1161.

Wyoming Test Fixtures can design and fabricate test fixtures to accommodate any of these standards.

 
Left: Semi-Articulated Three-Point Loading Flexure Fixture
Right: Semi-Articulated Four-Point Loading Flexure Fixture

Sources of Additional Information:

1)     1)  ASTM Standard C 1161-02c (2002), "Flexural Strength of Advanced Ceramics at Ambient Temperature," American Society for Testing and Materials, West Conshohocken, Pennsylvania (first issued in 1990).

2)     2)  ASTM Standard C 1341-00 (2000), "Flexural Properties of Continuous Fiber-Reinforced Advanced Ceramic Composites," American Society for Testing and Materials, West Conshohocken, Pennsylvania (first issued in 1996).

3)     3)  ASTM Standard C 1211-02 (2002), "Flexural Strength of Advanced Ceramics at Elevated Temperatures," American Society for Testing and Materials, West Conshohocken, Pennsylvania (first issued in 1990 as an update of MIL-STD 1942, dated 1983).

4)     4)  ASTM Standard C 1421-01b (2001), "Determination of Fracture Toughness of Advanced Ceramics at Ambient Temperature," American Society for Testing and Materials, West Conshohocken, Pennsylvania (first issued in 1999).

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Copyright 2005 - Wyoming Test Fixtures, Inc.

Wyoming Test Fixtures Inc. 2960 E. Millcreek Canyon Rd.
Salt Lake City, UT  84109
wyomingtestfixtures.com  Phone: 801-484-5055  Fax: 801-484-6008
E-mail: wtf@wyomingtestfixtures.com