The effect of interface adhesion on buckling and cracking of hard thin films

Research output: Journal Publications and ReviewsRGC 21 - Publication in refereed journalpeer-review

10 Scopus Citations
View graph of relations

Author(s)

  • E. A. Flores-Johnson
  • L. Shen
  • R. K. Annabattula
  • P. R. Onck
  • Z. Chen

Detail(s)

Original languageEnglish
Article number161912
Journal / PublicationApplied Physics Letters
Volume105
Issue number16
Publication statusPublished - 24 Oct 2014

Link(s)

Abstract

The physics behind the strain-released buckling patterns including telephone cords and straight-sided wrinkles with and without cracks, as experimentally observed in sputter-deposited Ti-Si-N thin films on Si substrates, is investigated with model-based simulations by varying the mechanical properties of the interface. Our calculations reveal that the location of the cracks depends on the normal stiffness, the interfacial toughness, and the normal strength of the cohesive interface. These properties determine the geometrical shape of the buckles such as width, wavelength, and deflection, and hence the local bending-induced tensile stresses. Buckling patterns with cracks at the apexes occur for low-stiffness interfaces as well as for high-stiffness interfaces with high toughness. On the other hand, cracks at the bottom of the buckles are more likely to occur for interfaces with high stiffness and low toughness. By using an elastic material model with a fracture criterion for brittle behavior, we demonstrate that the crack will follow the path where the bending-induced principal stress exceeds the flexural strength of the film.

Research Area(s)

Citation Format(s)

The effect of interface adhesion on buckling and cracking of hard thin films. / Flores-Johnson, E. A.; Shen, L.; Annabattula, R. K. et al.
In: Applied Physics Letters, Vol. 105, No. 16, 161912, 24.10.2014.

Research output: Journal Publications and ReviewsRGC 21 - Publication in refereed journalpeer-review

Download Statistics

No data available