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Near-tip mechanics of stress-induced microcracking in brittle materials

Journal Article · · J. Am. Ceram. Soc.; (United States)
A continuum-mechanics description of stress-induced microcracking was developed. Modulus-reduction effects due to microcracking are taken into account through the model of Budiansky and O'Connell. This is used in conjunction with a modified microcracking criterion that stems from the work of Evans and Fu. The resulting constitutive law for a microcracking material was used in finite-element calculations to study the near-tip stress and strain fields and the size and shape of a small-scale damaged zone for a stationary mode I crack in an elastic body. The finite-element results for the stationary crack are used to predict asymptotic toughening values which correspond to a fully developed wake of microcracked material for a propagating crack. Substantial toughening can result. In contrast, the microcracking zone for a stationary crack is thought to make little or no contribution to material toughening. The theoretical results are discussed in the context of experimental observations for zirconia-toughened alumina.
Research Organization:
Dept. of Materials and Dept. of Mechanical Engineering, Univ. of California, Santa Barbara, CA (US)
OSTI ID:
6360174
Journal Information:
J. Am. Ceram. Soc.; (United States), Journal Name: J. Am. Ceram. Soc.; (United States) Vol. 71:6; ISSN JACTA
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English