ABSTRACT
This chapter addresses first the grain (mainly size) dependence of compressive strength, primarily uniaxial, σc, but data on compressive strengths with superimposed hydrostatic compression is also presented. This is followed first by a review of the very limited data on grain effects on ballistic, i.e. armor, performance; then the more substantial, but still limited, data is presented first on erosion by impacting particles and resultant body strength and then on sliding wear. Since there are many manifestations of wear due to the variety of loading and environmental conditions, the focus will be on basic grain effects rather than on details of variations in wear tests and use that can occur. Then grain size effects on abrasive machining of ceramics are also discussed.
