I have some ceramics samples (ZrO2), and I had already made bending strength for them, can I calculate the modulus of elasticity (Young's Modulus) from bending strength data? If I can how it can be calculated?
flexural or bending modulus of elasticity is equivalent to the tensile or compressive modulus of elasticity. In reality, these values may be different, especially for plastic materials. Usually, if you using certain ASTM to perform your bending test, the formula for the modulus of elasticity where written on the standard guideline. E(elasticity) = E(bending)
As Mohamed and mahesh have stated this can be done, however you need the exact value for the deflection, if you cannot measure directly at the sample you have to subtract the deflection of the setup from the measured deflection, otherwise you get systematically wrong data. We measure by ultrasonic method, this delivers quite reliable data. In case you want to try microhardness based measurement for TZP be careful, the phase transformation leads to systematically too high (10-15%) values for the young's modulus.
If you want to calculate E from bending test you must record the stress-strain curve. If you cannot measure the strain directly on the samples (for example by a strain gage), you can use the load-displacement curve but as correctly stated by Frank you need to know the compliance of your machine and subtract it from your data.
A list of methods for measuring the Young's modulus are reported in the European Standard EN 843-2. Method A refers to the measurement by flexural strength.
In reality it depends on the sensitivity of your measuring system. If it is good enough you will find (a very interesting thing!) that Hooke's law is not true in ceramics...
Now I have a little problem with calculating flexural or bending modulus, and that because the machine I used didn't give the deflection directly. It only records these values:
1. Time
2. Extension
3. Strain
4. Load
5. and Stress
So how I can calculate the deflection from those values?