Quality assurance of test pieces as a basis for adequate significance of test results

The relevance of the centralised acquisition of test material needed
within the SFB and the quality assurance carried out for this material
is discussed. Results from quality inspections for components from
commercial ceramic materials are reported to demonstrate this
relevance. The surface characteristics of these components are compared
to surfaces resulting from hard machining operations, carried out under
defined conditions in the own laboratory. From the applied mechanical
examinations, the crack growth behaviour of Al2O3 evaluated by various
methods is compared. Finally, the raw part production and also the hard
machining of test series from newly developed sialon ceramics is
presented. These materials are considered for sliding applications.