The application of ceramic materials as structural components in advanced engines is gradually becoming a reality. The benefits are both economic- and performance-based. The necessary aspects for continued success are better materials, design codes and benchmark verification data.

The Life Prediction Branch operates an extensive facility for assessing the mechanical properties of brittle materials such as ceramics, glasses and brittle metals such as intermetallics and electronic materials. In most cases the capabilities have been developed to measure the mechanical properties associated with component life prediction and material screening from 25 to 1400 degrees Celsius. Fractography and failure analysis of test specimens is also performed.

An outgrowth of this testing capability has been the development of American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) and ISO standards. NASA Glenn personnel recently led efforts that resulted in two approved ASTM standards, "Determination of Slow Crack Growth Parameters of Advanced Ceramics by Constant Stress Rate Testing" and "Determination of Fracture Toughness of Advanced Ceramics". Standardization efforts within ASTM are continuing in related areas such as the Biaxial Strength Measurement and Terminology for Advanced Ceramics, and efforts to approve ISO counterpart standards continue.

GRC capabilities in testing have also fostered partnerships with other government agencies and private industry. Theses relationships have focused on both the short-term, low risk industries driven needs and long-term research related goals. The importance and relevance of the NASA Glenn Advanced Ceramic Laboratory to U.S. industry and Government agencies is reflected in past and present collaborative efforts.

One of the main in-house efforts of the facility has been design code verification. Databases for verification of the CARES series of software codes have been and continue to be generated. The data sets included uniaxial and multiaxial strength, fatigue and creep testing of silicon carbide, silicon nitride and alumina ceramics. Also, a data set is being generated for a reliability model for design of single crystal turbine vanes and other anisotropic materials.

The Advanced Ceramic Laboratory is in a unique position to make crucial contributions to the application of ceramics as structural components. The relevance is evidence by the partnerships formed with industry and academia. Current research includes measurement of fatigue parameter for microwave transparent windows, measurement of multiaxial creep of ceramics, measurement of the multiaxial strength of single crystal materials, and the development of ASTM and ISO standards for mechanical testing. Publications involving current and past research are available on request.