TITLE:
Calculation of the Stress Intensity Factor in an Inclusion-Containing Matrix
AUTHORS:
Claude Lincourt, Jacques Lanteigne, Madhavarao Krishnadev, Carl Blais
KEYWORDS:
Inclusions, Finite Element Analysis, Micro-Crack
JOURNAL NAME:
Modeling and Numerical Simulation of Material Science,
Vol.9 No.2,
April
12,
2019
ABSTRACT: The intent of this paper is to propose an engineering approach to estimate the stress intensity factor of a micro crack emerging from an inclusion in relation with the morphology of the inclusion and its relative stiffness with the matrix. A micromechanical model, based on the FEA (finite element analysis) of the behavior of cracks initiated at micro structural features such as inclusions, has been developed using LEFM (Linear Elastic Fracture Mechanics) to predict the stress intensity factor of a micro crack emerging from an inclusion. Morphology of inclusions has important connotations in the development of the analysis. Stress intensity factor has been estimated from the FEA model for different crack geometries. Metallographic analysis of inclusions has been carried out to evaluate the typical inclusion geometry. It also suggests that micro cracks less than 1μm behave differently than larger cracks.