Abstract
Theoretical equation to calculate thermal fatigue life was derived in which slow crack growth theory was adopted. The equation is function of crack growth exponent n. Cyclic thermal fatigue tests were performed at temperature difference of 175, 187 and 200$^{\circ}C$ respectively. At each temperature difference critical thermal fatigue life cycles of the alumina ceramics were 180,37 and 7 cycles. And theoretical thermal fatigue life cycles were calculated as 172, 35 and 7 cycles at the same temperature difference conditions. Therefore thermal fatigue behavior of alumina ceramics can be represented by derived equation. Also theoretical single cycle critical thermal shock temperature difference can be calculated by this equation and the result was consistent with the experimental result well.