Neumann, MarcMarcNeumannMichon, KacperKacperMichonEndler, DirkDirkEndlerZienert, TiloTiloZienertJelitto, HansHansJelittoSchneider, Gerold A.Gerold A.SchneiderAneziris, Christos G.Christos G.Aneziris2023-05-032023-05-032023-03-29Journal of the European Ceramic Society 43 (11): 5026-5031 (2023-09)http://hdl.handle.net/11420/15277The present study addresses the characterisation of niobium–alumina composites in terms of their fracture behaviour. Fine-grained Nb–Al2O3 composites with a niobium content of 60 vol% and produced from different alumina sources (tabular alumina or white fused alumina) were prepared by castable technique. The sintered castables were tested for their sensitivity towards subcritical crack advance, their R-curve behaviour, and the work of fracture. All properties were derived from slow, cyclic four-point flexure tests at room temperature, which allowed for the initialisation and the manual and automatic control of a stable growing crack. Overall, the investigated composites showed measurable R-curve behaviour and were more sensitive towards subcritical crack damage than pure alumina.en0955-221920231150265031Elsevier ScienceAluminaComposite materialsNiobiumR-curveSubcritical crack growthWork of fractureTechnikJournal Article10.1016/j.jeurceramsoc.2023.03.027Other