Some features of formation of the structural strength of ceramic materials

On the basis of preliminary investigations of the characteristics of the crack-propagation resistance of various types of ceramic and cermet materials, we give a general evaluation of their potentialities in the context of the influence of the structural-metallurgical factor and the micromechanisms of fracture on the serviceability of the materials. We propose to evaluate the mechanical efficiency of ceramic materials by comparing their diagrams of structural strength at room and service temperatures. We found certain advantages of cermets in ensuring crack resistance under short- and long-term loading. We propose a classification of dominant and secondary micromechanisms of stress relaxation that manifest thermselves in the process of crack growth in ceramics and cermets.