1.1 This test method is for the determination of flexural strength of rod shape specimens of advanced ceramic materials at ambient temperature. In many instances it is preferable to test round specimens rather than rectangular bend specimens, especially if the material is fabricated in rod form. This method permits testing of machined, drawn, or as-fired rod shaped specimens. It allows some latitude in the rod sizes and cross section shape uniformity. Rod diameters between 1.5 and 8 mm and le