Thermoelastic analysis of matrix crack growth in particulate composites

Journal Article · Sat Apr 01 04:00:00 EST 1995 · Acta Metallurgica et Materialia

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/0956-7151(94)00265-J· OSTI ID:39864

Sridhar, N ^[1]; Rickman, J M ^[2]; Srolovitz, D J ^[1]

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1. Univ. of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI (United States). Dept. of Materials Science and Engineering
2. Lehigh Univ., Bethlehem, PA (United States). Dept. of Materials Science and Engineering

The authors examine the conditions under which differences in thermal expansion between a particle and the matrix lead to crack growth within the matrix. Using linear elasticity fracture mechanics, they obtain closed-form, analytical results for the case of a penny shaped crack present in the matrix interacting with a spherical inclusion which is misfitting with respect to the matrix. A simple and direct relationship is established between the strain energy release rate, the crack size, the crack orientation with respect to the inclusion, the crack/inclusion separation, the degree of thermal expansion mismatch and the elastic properties of the medium. The authors also analyze the size to which these cracks can grow and find that for a given misfit strain and material properties, crack growth is inhibited beyond a certain critical crack size. They find that beyond this critical size, the elastic strain energy released upon crack growth is no longer sufficient to compensate for the energy expended in extending the crack, since the crack is growing into the rapidly decreasing stress field. The modification of the above conditions for crack growth due to the superposition of an external stress field has also been analyzed. The preferred orientation of these cracks as a function of misfit strain is predicted. The implication of these results for thermal cycling are analyzed.

• OSTI ID: 39864
• Journal Information: Acta Metallurgica et Materialia, Journal Name: Acta Metallurgica et Materialia Journal Issue: 4 Vol. 43; ISSN 0956-7151; ISSN AMATEB
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE
COMPOSITE MATERIALS
CRACK PROPAGATION
CRACKS
ELASTICITY
FRACTURE MECHANICS
INCLUSIONS
PARTICULATES
STRESS INTENSITY FACTORS
THERMAL EXPANSION
THERMAL STRESSES