ASTM C1211 Flexural Testing for Ceramics

Although once characterized as brittle and porous, ceramic materials have become more refined in recent years. New advanced ceramics can withstand highly corrosive, pressurized and extreme temperature environments. ASTM C1211 is a test method that measures the flexural strength of advanced ceramics at elevated temperatures. ASTM C1211 requires both three-point and four-point bend tests. Flexure stress is calculated from the resulting data using simple beam theory.

Testing Procedure for ASTM C1211

This test method determines the flexural strength at elevated temperature and ambient environmental conditions at a nominal, moderately fast testing rate. Note that the flexural strength under your testing conditions is not always the inert flexural strength. Flexure strength at elevated temperatures may be strongly dependent on testing rate, stress corrosion, creep, or slow crack growth. When testing according to ASTM C1211, use rectangular cross section specimens of your advanced ceramic. It is important to also consider the testing rate, test environment, specimen preparation, specimen size, and test fixtures.

Equipment required

A universal test machine is required to test to ASTM C1211. An additional furnace chamber should be used to create required ambient temperatures. TestResources provides precise universal testing machines mounted with furnaces to test a variety of different advanced ceramics.

By means of our testing expertise and modular product design, we will help find the testing solution that is right for you. Give one of our application engineers a call today for help with creating the best budget and testing plan according to ASTM C1211.