[3] Faber is known for her work in the fracture mechanics of brittle materials and energy-related ceramics and composites, including the Faber-Evans model of crack deflection which is named after her.

[4][5][6] Her research encompasses a broad range of topics, from ceramics for thermal and environmental barrier coatings in power generation components to porous solids for filters and flow in medical applications.

Faber is the co-founder and previous co-director of the Center for Scientific Studies in the Arts and also oversees a number of collaborative endeavors, especially with NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory.

Her research delves into the damage modes, including oxidation of the bond coat layer and the mismatch of thermal expansion coefficients, which lead to cracking and spalling.

[20] In collaboration with NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Faber works on advancing Hall-effect thrusters by developing a composite material that combines hexagonal boron nitride (h-BN) and graphite.

[21] The brittle nature of bulk BN poses challenges under dynamic loads, prompting Faber's group to create a layered system where h-BN is grown on graphite through high-temperature carbothermal reduction.

[22] Faber's research group also examines historical ceramics, specifically Meissen porcelain, to understand and authenticate Böttger lusterware.

[23] Using scientific methods such as X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, and chemical characterization, her group investigates the composition and manufacturing techniques of lusterware.

[11] Main Article: Faber-Evans modelKatherine Faber and her PhD advisor, Anthony G. Evans, first introduced a materials of mechanics model designed to predict the enhancement of fracture toughness in ceramics.

Faber showed that by using imaging techniques, the actual crack tortuosity can be determined, enabling the direct input of deflection and bowing angles into the model.

Faber's analysis revealed that fracture toughness, regardless of morphology, is primarily determined by the most severe twisting of the crack front rather than its initial inclination.

While the initial tilting of the crack front contributes to significant toughening in the case of disc-shaped particles, the twist component remains the dominant factor in enhancing toughness.