October 16, 2008
      
                  
        
  Author(s)
  Sheldon M. Wiederhorn,   Lin-Sien H. Lum
 
       
            
    
    
        In this chapter, we discussed ceramic materials, materials that by and large do not deform plastically when subjected to high stresses. Consequently, ceramics have a low toughness and are very flaw sensitive. Methods of toughening ceramics involve grain or