Abstract
A model for predicting the relative density and the compressive strength of open-cell ceramics with three-dimensional network structure was proposed through the interpretation of their macrostructure and fracture mechanics. The equation predicting the relative density was derived under the assumption that the open-cell structure was a periodic array of the tetrakaidecahedron unit cell consisting of cylindrical struts containing the internal hollow with the shape of a triangular prism. The model for compressive strength of open-cell ceramics with the hollow strut was also developed by modifying conventional model which based on fracture behavior of them subjected to the compressive stress. Both the relative density and the compressive strength were expressed in terms of the ratio of the strut diameter to the length together with the ratio of the hollow size to the strut diameter. The proposed model for the relative density and the compressive strength of the alumina-zirconia composite with open-cell structure were accorded well with the experimental values, whereas Gibson-Ashby and Zhang's model did not show such a good agreement.