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Fracture toughness of YBa sub 2 Cu sub 3 O sub 6+. delta. single crystals: Anisotropy and twinning effects

Journal Article · · Journal of Applied Physics; (United States)
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1063/1.350234· OSTI ID:5053260
; ; ;  [1]
  1. Materials Science and Engineering Laboratory, National Institute of Standards and Technology, Gaithersburg, Maryland (USA)

Indentation/crack length measurements were used to determine hardness and fracture toughness in twinned and detwinned single crystals of YBa{sub 2}Cu{sub 3}O{sub 6+{delta}} (YBCO). Hardness was found to be isotropic and unaffected by twin boundaries or moisture; the average hardness value was 9.5 GPa. Fracture toughness ({ital K}{sub {ital c}}) was determined to be anisotropic with the average value for cracks running perpendicular to the basal plane being approximately twice that of cracks parallel to the basal plane; thus, cleavage is easier along basal planes. In addition, the results suggest a small but measurable anisotropy in {ital K}{sub {ital c}} between the {ital a} and {ital b} directions. Twin boundaries were found to toughen YBCO, enhancing {ital K}{sub {ital c}} by about 25%. Moisture promoted crack growth, degrading {ital K}{sub {ital c}} by about 35%.

OSTI ID:
5053260
Journal Information:
Journal of Applied Physics; (United States), Journal Name: Journal of Applied Physics; (United States) Vol. 70:10; ISSN 0021-8979; ISSN JAPIA
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English