scope:

This part of EN 843 specifies methods for determining the nominal flexural strength of advanced monolithic technical ceramic materials at ambient temperature. The available loading geometries are three- and four-point flexure, using rectangular section test pieces of two prescribed geometries: 20 mm support span (A) and 40 mm support span (B). NOTE This part of EN 843 differs from ISO 14704 (see Bibliography) in respect of span A (not included in the ISO version), the absence of the 30 mm span option, and the required use of a fully articulating test jig. The test applies to materials with grain size less than 200 µm. The test prescribes four categories of surface finish applied to the test pieces: I: as-fired or annealed after machining; II: standard finishing by grinding; III: standard finishing by lapping/polishing; IV: machined using agreed grinding procedures and material removal rates.