Though defects are often associated with weakening mechanical properties, the purposeful introduction of microcracks into refractory materials can improve their thermal shock resistance.

Refractories are heterogeneous materials, consisting of numerous aggregates within a brittle matrix.^1,2 Microcracking occurs during synthesis when the refractory is cooled from its sintering temperature due to the heterogeneity and anisotropy of thermal expansion coefficients of each constituent.^3,4 The presence of numerous microcracks within the microstructure can promote a significant nonlinear macroscopic mechanical response, which improves the material’s resistance to thermal shock. ^1,3,4