Micropillar compression of ceramics at elevated temperatures

Micropillar compression tests were carried out on MgAl2O4 spinel from room temperature to 400 °C. The spinel deformed plastically at 200 °C and above without a confining pressure. The yield stresses measured were consistent with those obtained elsewhere by compressing larger crystals under a high confining pressure, suggesting that micropillar compression has the potential to be a useful technique for studying plastic flow in brittle materials.