A fracture model is proposed to describe the fracture behavior of laminated ceramic composites. The results reveal that the actual energy absorbed, Wact, by crack propagation is more suitable than work-of-fracture to calculate the toughness of composites. Fracture toughness of composites is obtained using the proposed model taking actual energy absorption into account. The predicted load-displacement curve matches with the experimental results. The results based on the proposed model regarding the influence of layer thickness and the interfacial bonding strength on fracture toughness hold valid with the calculated range.

Keywords: Si3N4 Laminate Composite, fracture model, fracture toughness, actual energy absorption