Residual stress distributions in ceramics

Residual stress distributions in ceramics can be calculated for a coordinate system fixed by the specimen geometry as well as for the crystal system. Computations were performed using alumina as a model system with the residual stresses caused by thermal expansion anisotropy. Mean values and standard deviations of the stress distributions are calculated for a plane stress as well as a plane strain scenario in a laboratory coordinate system and compared to distributions of stresses occuring along the a-axis and c-axis of alumina. In addition, stress fluctuations in the whole assembly of grains are compared with stress fluctuations within and between individual grains.