Microcrack toughening in brittle materials containing weak and strong interfaces

Journal Article · Sun Sep 01 00:00:00 EDT 1996 · Acta Materialia

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/1359-6454(96)00002-X· OSTI ID:389811

Sigl, L S ^[1]

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1. Elektroschmelzwerk Kempten GmbH (Germany)

Microcracking in brittle materials combining weak and strong interfaces is analyzed. A model for the width of the process zone and the associated toughening in terms of interface toughness, elastic moduli, thermal expansion coefficients and microstructural geometry is presented. Considerable zone widths and toughening are predicted in composites with low interface toughness, high residual stresses and high volume fraction of microcracks. The model is verified using toughness data obtained from B{sub 4}C-TiB{sub 2} composites where elemental carbon segregated to B{sub 4}C-TiB{sub 2} phase boundaries supplies weak interfaces.

• OSTI ID: 389811
• Journal Information: Acta Materialia, Journal Name: Acta Materialia Journal Issue: 9 Vol. 44; ISSN 1359-6454; ISSN ACMAFD
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE
BORON CARBIDES
CARBON
COMPOSITE MATERIALS
CRACKS
ELASTICITY
FRACTURE PROPERTIES
GRAIN BOUNDARIES
MATHEMATICAL MODELS
MICROSTRUCTURE
RESIDUAL STRESSES
SEGREGATION
THERMAL EXPANSION
TITANIUM BORIDES