Abstract
Stress-strain hysteresis in alumina with microcracks has been investigated by a loading–unloading test in the microstrain range around 10 −4 While there remains a permanent strain after the initial loading, steady-state cyclic loading results in a single closed hysteresis loop with a symmetrical shape. Such a stabilized hysteresis loop is responsible for internal friction and can be attributed to the microplasticity associated with a forerunning phenomenon of fracture.