Recent Advances in Dynamic Indentation Fracture, Impact Damage and Fragmentation of Ceramics

In this feature article, dynamic indentation‐induced deformation and fracture phenomena in brittle solids are related to the deformation behavior and fracture patterns evolved during dynamic impact on structural ceramics. Examples of indentation‐induced localized amorphization in boron carbide (B 4 C) and differences in fracture characteristics due to static and dynamic indentations on B 4 C and zirconium diboride–silicon carbide (ZrB 2 –SiC) ceramic composite are presented. These features are compared with the fracture patterns evolved during the high‐velocity ball impact on SiC. The influences of processing‐induced (inherent) flaws and deformation‐induced flaws on fracture initiation in a brittle material are discussed. Recent developments in analytical modeling of indentation‐ and impact‐induced damage in ceramics and computational efforts on fracture and fragmentation response of ceramics are thoroughly reviewed. Finally, some future research directions are identified.