Elastic Constants of Synthetic Single Crystal Corundum at Room Temperature

The six elastic constants (and six elastic compliances) of corundum were determined in the kilocycle per second frequency range by an accurate resonance method. The results were checked in the megacycle per second range with a less accurate, pulse velocity method. The elastic moduli for polycrystalline alumina calculated from the single crystal compliances determined by the resonance method are in good agreement with experimental values obtained on high density polycrystalline alumina. The variation of Young’s modulus and of the shear modulus with orientation was calculated from the compliances and the results are shown graphically. The results of the present work do not agree well with previous work on single crystal sapphire. The specification of orientation and the theory used to calculate the elastic constants are given in detail to support the contention that the results of the present work are correct.