Abstract
Thermal shock test methods and thermal shock parameters for ceramics were reviewed from the following viewpoints: (1) The test methods should be based on the precise estimation of both temperature and thermal stress distributions in a specimen taking into account the temperature-dependent thermo-mechanical properties; (2) The thermal shock parameters must be defined as a physical property of the materials and described as a function of temperature at the fracture point of the specimen; (3) The relation between the strength and fracture toughness of brittle ceramics under a thermal shock load must be the same as the relation under a mechanical load. In addition, appropriate thermal shock parameters should be defined by the thermal shock strength and thermal shock fracture toughness based on stress and energy criteria, respectively. A constant heat flux method is introduced as a testing technique suitable for estimating these thermal shock parameters directly from the electric power charged.