Overview - ISO 20343:2017 (Fine ceramics)
ISO 20343:2017 specifies a test method for determining the elastic modulus of thick ceramic monolayer coatings (thickness > 0.03 mm) at elevated temperature using the impulse excitation method. The standard defines procedures for test-piece preparation, test modes and rates, data collection, calculation and reporting. It applies primarily to brittle ceramic coatings on ceramic or metal substrates and is intended for material research, quality control, characterization and generation of design data.
Key topics and technical requirements
- Test principle: Elastic modulus of the coating is deduced by comparing the equivalent modulus of the coated sample (Eq) with the substrate modulus (Es) and the thickness ratio R = h/H, where h is coating thickness and H is substrate thickness.
- Impulse excitation method: Measurements follow the sonic/impulse excitation technique referenced to ISO 17561 for elastic modulus determination.
- Specimen geometry and tolerances:
- Coating thickness > 0.03 mm; thickness ratio R > 1/100.
- Specimen length L > 40 mm; L/H > 20; width-to-substrate-thickness B/H between 3 and 10.
- Recommended dimensions and surface finish (fine grinding, no chamfered edges).
- Thermal and measurement control:
- Furnace capable of air, inert or vacuum environments; temperature stability ±2 °C.
- Temperature uniformity: test-piece variation ≤ 0.5% after 15 min at test temperature.
- Furnace heating rate control typically 5–10 °C/min.
- Thermocouples per IEC 60584-1; resolution/accuracy requirements and periodic calibration.
- Metrology:
- Dimensional measurements with calipers (≈0.02 mm) and coating thickness via calibrated optical/electron microscope (×1000 or better).
- Mass and dimensional tolerances specified for data quality.
- Sampling: Minimum of five test pieces recommended; handling and storage instructions to prevent damage.
- Reporting and calculations: Standard formulae for coating modulus, mean/standard deviation, and temperature dependence of modulus are specified.
Applications and users
ISO 20343:2017 is used by:
- Materials scientists and R&D teams performing high-temperature mechanical characterization of ceramic coatings.
- Coating manufacturers for process development and quality control.
- Design engineers requiring validated elastic modulus data for component analysis.
- Laboratories performing comparative material testing or generating temperature-dependent property datasets.
Keywords: ISO 20343:2017, elastic modulus, fine ceramics, thick ceramic coatings, impulse excitation method, elevated temperature testing, coating characterization, quality control.
Related standards
- ISO 17561 - elastic moduli of monolithic ceramics at room temperature (sonic resonance)
- ISO 3611 - dimensional measuring equipment (calipers/micrometers)
- ISO 18558 - elastic modulus and bending strength of ceramic tubes and rings
- IEC 60584-1 - thermocouples - reference tables