ASTM C1161 | Ceramics | Flexural Strength
ASTM C1161 is a testing standard that determines the flexural strength of advanced ceramic materials. Rectangular samples are loaded either in four-point or three-point configurations at ambient temperature. The flex fixture should have cylindrical rollers for the support of test specimen and for the application of load.
Flexural strength is a measure of the ultimate strength of a specified beam in bending. The three-point test configuration exposes only a very small portion of the specimen to the maximum stress. Therefore, three-point flexural strengths tend to be much greater than four-point flexural strengths. For the purposes of this test and for most characterization determinations, four-point flexure testing is preferred and recommended.
Before conducting ASTM C1161, it is important to read the entire specification in the relevant ASTM publication.
ASTM C1161 | Ceramics | Flexural Strength
- Prepare test specimen as described in the standard.
- Place the specimen in the flex fixture. Make sure that there is an equal amount of overhang of the specimen beyond the outer bearings and the specimen is centered below the axis of the applied load.
- Apply the load at right angles to the fixture. Crosshead speeds for different testing configurations are provided in the standard. Mark the specimen at the points of load in order to distinguish tensile and compression faces. These marks will assist in post fracture interpretation and analysis.
- Stop test at sample break. Record the break force.
- Flexural Strength
ASTM C1161 | Ceramics | Flexural Strength
| ASTM C1161 | Recommended Equipment |
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| Testing System | |
| Fixturing |