Three-dimensional simulation of crack propagation in ferroelectric polycrystals: effect of combined toughening mechanisms

Author (s): Abdollahi, A. and Arias, I.
Journal: Acta Materiala

Volume: 65
Pages: 106 – 117
Date: 2014

Abstract:
Ferroelectric ceramics are susceptible to fracture under high electric fields, which are commonly generated in the vicinity of electrodes or conducting layers. In the present work, we extend a phase-field model of fracture in ferroelectric single crystals for the simulation of the propagation of conducting cracks under purely electrical loading. This is done by introducing the electrical enthalpy of a di ffuse conducting layer into the phase-field formulation. Simulation results show an oblique crack propagation and crack branching from a conducting notch, forming a tree-like crack pattern in a ferroelectric sample under positive and negative electric elds. Microstructure evolution indicates the formation of tail-to-tail and head-to-head 90o domains, which results in charge accumulation around the crack. The charge accumulation, in turn, induces a high electric eld and hence a high electrostatic energy further driving the conducting crack. Salient features of the results are compared with experiment

Journal paper (from the publisher)  
Download file (0 MBytes)  

Bibtex:

@article{Abdollahi2014106,
title = "Three-dimensional simulation of crack propagation in ferroelectric polycrystals: Effect of combined toughening mechanisms ",
journal = "Acta Materialia ",
volume = "65",
number = "0",
pages = "106 - 117",
year = "2014",
note = "",
issn = "1359-6454",
doi = "http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.actamat.2013.11.016",
url = "http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1359645413008665",
author = "Amir Abdollahi and Irene Arias",
keywords = "Polycrystals",
keywords = "Ferroelectricity",
keywords = "Fracture",
keywords = "Phase-field models",
keywords = "Finite element analysis "
}