J‐Integral Measurements of the Fracture of 50% Alumina Refractories

The J-integral experimental technique was used to study fracture initiation in burned refractory bricks and refractory casta-bles of the 50% alumina variety. In a comparison of JIc and GIc, and 2ywof it is consistently observed that GIc<JIc<2ryWof. The quantities (JIc-GIc) or (JIC/GIC), as well as (2ywof/GIc), can be applied to estimate the inelastic energy contribution to the crack-tip process zone of these refractories. The latter two parameters distinctly classify the burned bricks and the casta-bles into different fracture characteristics. As such, these parameters are potentially very useful in the microstruetural design of refractories.