Nonclassical nucleation and growth of cohesive tensile cracks

Journal Article · Mon Jul 10 00:00:00 EDT 1989 · Phys. Rev. Lett.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.63.171· OSTI ID:5937345

Rundle, J B; Klein, W

We analyze the nucleation and growth of cohesive tensile cracks using a field-theoretic formulation in which the free energy is written as a functional of the crack separation (offset field). Our results indicate that for certain materials, crack nucleation and growth proceed through the formation and extension of a diffuse ''halo'' surrounding the classical portion of the crack. This is similar to nonclassical nucleation in magnetic systems. Theoretical considerations and numerical calculations strongly suggest that the diffuse halo can be identified with the fracture ''process zone'' seen in laboratory studies of advancing cracks.

• Research Organization: Division 6231, Sandia National Laboratories, Albuquerque, New Mexico 87185(US); Center for Polymer Studies and Department of Physics, Boston University, Boston, Massachusetts 02215
• DOE Contract Number: AC04-76DP00789
• OSTI ID: 5937345
• Journal Information: Phys. Rev. Lett.; (United States), Vol. 63:2
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS
SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND SUPERFLUIDITY
SOLIDS
CRACK PROPAGATION
FRACTURING
FREE ENERGY
FUNCTIONS
TENSILE PROPERTIES
COMMINUTION
ENERGY
MECHANICAL PROPERTIES
PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
THERMODYNAMIC PROPERTIES
656000* - Condensed Matter Physics