Abstract
Since gels are typically brittle materials, reliable analyses are essential to determine the strength distribution. The mechanical strength of silica gels has been measured by the three point bending technique. Based on the Weibull function, the statistical analysis allows determination of the Weibull modulus (m), which characterizes the strength distribution and the flaw size effect.
Two kinds of gels, alcogels and aerogels, have been investigated with respect to their different mechanical behaviour owing to the transformations occurring during the supercritical drying (SD). The toughness of the two materials has been also measured by the SENB technique. It appears that the strength increases by a factor greater than two during SD, the KIC increases slightly. However, m is not greatly affected which would suggest that SD does not induce significant flaws or defects change in the network.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Scherer, G.W., Pardenek, S.A., and Swiatek, R.M., J. Non-Cryst. Solids, 107, 14, (1988).
Pardenek, S. A., Fleming, J. W., Klein, L. C., Mater. Res. Soc. Symp. Proc. 88, 73 (1987).
Woignier, T. and Phalippou, J., J. Non-Cryst. Solids 100, 325 (1988).
Scherer, G.W., J. Non-Cryst. Solids 109, 183 (1989).
Woignier, T., Phalippou, J., Hdach, H., and Scherer, G.W., in Better Ceramics through Chemistry IV: Mater. Res. Soc. Proc. 180, 1087 (1990).
Griffith, A.A., Phil. Trans. Roy. Soc. Lon., 221A, 163 (1920).
Inglis, G.E., Inst. Nanal. Archetects Trans., 55, (1913).
Irwin, G.E., Trans. ASM, 40A, 47 (1948).
Zarzycki, J., J. Non-Cryst. Solids, 100, 255 (1988).
Rogier, R., Woignier, T., and Phalippou, J., Rev. Phys. Appl., 24 (C4), 197 (1989).
Woignier, T., Phalippou, J., Hdach, H., Larnac, G., Pernot, F., and Scherer, G.W., J. Non-Cryst. Solids, 147–148, 672 (1992).
Scherer, G.W., J. Non-Cryst. Solids 144, 210 (1992).
Scherer, G. W., J. Non-Cryst. Solids 147–148, 383 (1992)
Evans, A.G. and Tappin, G., Proc. Brit. Ceram. Soc., 23, 275 (1972).
Chermant, J.L. and Osterstock, F.J. Mater. Sci., 14, 1939 (1976).
Scherer, G.W., J. Non-Cryst. Solids, 145, 33 (1992).
Weibull, W., J. Appl. Mech., 18(3), 293 (1951).
Sullivan, J.D. and Lauzon, P.H., J. Mater. Sci. Letters, 5(11), 1245 (1986).
Batdorf, S.B., in Fracture Mechanics of Ceramics, Vol. 3, edited by Bradt, R.C., Hasselman, D.P.H., F, Lange (Plenum Press, New York, 1978) p. 1.
Katayama, Y. and Hattori, Y., J. Amer. Cer. Soc., 52 (10), C-164 (1982).
Scott, W.D. and Gaddipati, A., in Fracture Mechanics of Ceramics, Vol. 3, edited by Bradt, R.C., Hasselman, D.P.H., F, Lange (Plenum Press, New York, 1978) p. 125.
Barrera Solano, M.C., De la Rosa Fox, N., and Esquivias, L., J. Non-Cryst. Solids, 147–148, 194 (1992).
Woignier, T., Phalippou, J., Quinson, J.F., Pauthe, M., and Lavessiere, F., J. Non-Cryst. Solids, 145, 25 (1992).
Gibson, L.J. and Ashby, M.F., Cellular Solids (Academic Press, New York 1988).
Maiti, S.K. and Gibson, L.J., Scr. Metall., 18, 213 (1984).
Brenzy, R. and Green, D.J., J. Amer. Cer. Soc., 74(5), 1061 (1991).
Rice, R.W., “Treatise on materials science and technology,” Vol. II, MacCrone R.K., ed., Acad. Press, (1977), Paris.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Duffours, L., Pernot, F., Woignier, T. et al. Weibull analysis of the mechanical strength of silica gels. J Sol-Gel Sci Technol 2, 211–214 (1994). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00486243
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00486243