Experimental Mechanics (2010) 50:979–992 DOI 10.1007/s11340-009-9306-x Experimental Evidence of Thermal Effects in Multiphase Ceramic Specimens Subjected to Cyclic Loading X. Balandraud · G. Zhou · M. Grédiac · N. Tessier-Doyen Received: 27 February 2009 / Accepted: 29 September 2009 / Published online: 14 October 2009 © Society for Experimental Mechanics 2009 Abstract The aim of this work is to observe and to analyze various phenomena that exist in a multiphase ceramic material subjected to cyclic compressive loads. An infrared camera is used for this purpose. The ma- terial under study is an andalusite-based low-cement castable, which exhibits a pre-existing diffused damage (microcracks and debonded interfaces) before mechan- ical testing. The temperature variation in the specimen during the tests is investigated both at a macroscopic scale and a mesoscopic scale. In the first case, the ma- terial compaction, the thermoelastic coupling and the X. Balandraud (B ) Institut Français de Mécanique Avancée, EA 3867, Laboratoire de Mécanique et Ingénieries, Clermont Université, BP 10448, 63000 Clermont-Ferrand, France e-mail: xavier.balandraud@ifma.fr G. Zhou · M. Grédiac (SEM Member) Université Blaise Pascal, EA 3867, Laboratoire de Mécanique et Ingénieries, Clermont Université, BP 10448, 63000 Clermont-Ferrand, France G. Zhou e-mail: guicheng.zhou@univ-bpclermont.fr M. Grédiac e-mail: michel.grediac@univ-bpclermont.fr N. Tessier-Doyen Groupe d’Etude des Matériaux Hétérogènes (GEMH, EA 3178), Ecole Nationale Supérieure de Céramique Industrielle (ENSCI), 47-73 avenue A. Thomas, 87065 Limoges cedex, France e-mail: nicolas.tessier-doyen@unilim.fr temperature increase due to mechanical dissipation are clearly evidenced. In the second case, local temperature variations related to microcracks are observed. The technique used and the results obtained are described and discussed in the paper. Keywords Infrared thermography · Thermoelasticity · Fatigue · Andalusite-based low-cement castable (And-LCC) Introduction The objective of the present work is to evidence some thermal effects in an andalusite-based low-cement castable (And-LCC) subjected to cyclic load at room temperature. Refractory castables are widely used in the metallurgical industry, in particular to transport molten steel. When in service or submitted to spe- cific thermal treatments, these ceramic materials may exhibit a strong non-linear tensile behaviour closely related to their complex microstructure [1]. In fact, the large coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) mismatch between cement matrix and andalusite aggregates leads to internal thermal stresses that induce the appearance of microstructural defects, such as grain/matrix inter- face debondings and cracks [2]. From a macroscopic point of view, the high proportion of defects leads to diffused damage in the bulk material, which can be modified according to prescribed mechanical or ther- mal loading. Internal frictions at the interface between grains and matrix may cause crack initiations and prop- agations, and consequently, the complete failure of the refractory product. This type of material can withstand