On the interaction of cracks with bimaterial interfaces

Mechanical properties of engineering materials are primarily controlled by interfaces that they contain, i.e., free surfaces, grain boundaries, and phase boundaries. The fracture and fatigue properties, in particular, are a function of the interaction of such boundaries with cracks. In the present paper, we review the various types of interaction between cracks propagating at or near such bimaterial interfaces. Indeed, the nature of these interactions is critical in determining trajectories of cracks in both homogeneous and layered structures, which in turn has a direct influence on their fracture toughness and resistance to subcritical crack growth.