1.1 ,This test method covers the determination of the effect of surface grinding on the flexure strength of advanced ceramics. Surface grinding of an advanced ceramic material can introduce microcracks and other changes in the near surface layer, generally referred to as damage (see Fig. 1 and Ref. (1)).2 Such damage can result in a change—,most often a decrease—,in flexure strength of the material. The degree of change in flexure strength is determined by both the grinding process and the response characteristics of the specific ceramic material. This method compares the flexure strength of an advanced ceramic material after application of a user-specified surface grinding process with the baseline flexure strength of the same material. The baseline flexure strength is obtained after application of a surface grinding process specified in this standard. The baseline flexure strength is expected to approximate closely the inherent strength of the material. The flexure strength is measured by means of ASTM flexure test methods.