Determining worst-case fatigue thresholds for grain-bridging ceramics

J. J. Kruzic, R. Yuan, R. M. Cannon, R. O. Ritchie

Research output: Chapters, Conference Papers, Creative and Literary WorksRGC 32 - Refereed conference paper (with host publication)peer-review

Abstract

A method for determining worst-case cyclic fatigue thresholds in grain-bridging ceramics by quantifying the role of bridging is demonstrated for a model alumina. Crack-growth properties for both long and short (< 2 mm) cracks emanating from machined notches (root radii, ρ ∼ 15 - 150 μm) were investigated. When compared as a function of the applied stress-intensity range (ΔK), growth rates (da/dN) were far higher and fatigue thresholds ΔKTH were markedly lower with short cracks, with growth being observable at the lowest driving forces for short cracks emanating from razor micronotches (ρ ≈ 15 μm). For growth rates < 10-8 m/cycle, da/dN vs. ΔK data for short cracks merged with the steady-state data for long cracks after ∼2 mm of extension. This value corresponds well to the measured crack-bridging zone length for long fatigue cracks grown near ΔKTH. The crack-tip shielding contribution due to bridging was quantified using multi-cutting compliance and crack-opening profile techniques. Bridging stress-intensity factors were computed and subtracted from applied stress intensities to estimate an effective, near-tip driving force, ΔKeff. These results, in terms of ΔKeff, provided a lower threshold below which both long and short cracks are not observed to propagate and an estimate of the intrinsic toughness for the start of the R-curve. Such results quantitatively affirm that the reduced role of grain bridging is a primary source of the transient behavior of short cracks in grain-bridging alumina-based ceramics under cyclic loading. These methods are additionally applied to estimate the worst-case fatigue threshold and intrinsic toughness of a self-reinforced SiC based ceramic, for which direct testing at small crack sizes has been prohibitively difficult.
Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationMaterials Lifetime Science & Engineering
EditorsP.K. Liaw, R.A. Buchanan, D.L. Klarstrom, R.P. Wei, D.G. Harlow, P.F. Tortorelli
PublisherJohn Wiley & Sons
Pages61-68
ISBN (Electronic)9781118788035
ISBN (Print)9781118000427
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Mar 2003
Externally publishedYes
EventMaterials Lifetime: Science and Engineering - San Diego, CA, United States
Duration: 2 Mar 20036 Mar 2003

Publication series

NameTMS Annual Meeting

Conference

ConferenceMaterials Lifetime: Science and Engineering
PlaceUnited States
CitySan Diego, CA
Period2/03/036/03/03

Research Keywords

  • Alumina
  • Fatigue crack
  • Grain-bridging ceramics
  • Razor micronotches
  • Worst-case fatigue

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