ISO 15732:2003 describes a test method for the determination of fracture toughness of monolithic ceramic materials at room temperature by the Single-Edge-Precracked-Beam (SEPB) method.

This International Standard is intended for use with monolithic ceramics and whisker- or particulate-reinforced ceramics which are regarded as macroscopically homogeneous. It does not include continuous-fiber-reinforced ceramic composites.

ISO 15732:2003 is for material development, material comparison, quality assurance, characterization, reliability and design data generation.

Fracture toughness values determined with other test methods cannot be interchanged with K_Ipb as defined in this International Standard, and may not be interchangeable with each other.