DrFlorian Bouville
Associate Professor in Processing and Mechanics of Ceramics
Department of Materials - Faculty of Engineering
Orcid identifier0000-0002-1527-5045 (opens in a new tab)
- Associate Professor in Processing and Mechanics of CeramicsDepartment of Materials - Faculty of Engineering
- 020 7594 8547 (Work)
- LM04A, Royal School of Mines, South Kensington Campus, United Kingdom
RESEARCH
Understanding the mechanical properties of bioinspired composites
This research is focused on understanding the fracture of ceramics with a microstructure resembling the one of nacre, the inert part of a seashell. These composites have displayed a high resistance to fracture and a high strength, even at high temperature. The question is now about where to go from here, as a systematic change in composition to learn the relationship between the fracture resistance and microstructure seems quite intensive. Our approach is to use a combination of fracture mechanics, in situ imaging techniques and modelling to understand the fracture process at the local scale, i.e. at the tip of the crack. This information is helping us getting this properties-microstructure relationship directly and give us hindsight on where to go next. The final goal would be to get a ceramic so tough that it becomes deformable, unlocking a whole new range of applications for these lightweight and durable materials. The first paper on this project is out now and with more to soon.
This research is focused on understanding the fracture of ceramics with a microstructure resembling the one of nacre, the inert part of a seashell. These composites have displayed a high resistance to fracture and a high strength, even at high temperature. The question is now about where to go from here, as a systematic change in composition to learn the relationship between the fracture resistance and microstructure seems quite intensive. Our approach is to use a combination of fracture mechanics, in situ imaging techniques and modelling to understand the fracture process at the local scale, i.e. at the tip of the crack. This information is helping us getting this properties-microstructure relationship directly and give us hindsight on where to go next. The final goal would be to get a ceramic so tough that it becomes deformable, unlocking a whole new range of applications for these lightweight and durable materials. The first paper on this project is out now and with more to soon.