ISSN:
1551-2916
Source:
Blackwell Publishing Journal Backfiles 1879-2005
Topics:
Mechanical Engineering, Materials Science, Production Engineering, Mining and Metallurgy, Traffic Engineering, Precision Mechanics
,
Physics
Notes:
Electric-field-induced fatigue crack growth in ferroelectric ceramic PZT-5 with precracks was investigated. The experimental results showed that there were two distinct characteristics in the crack growth under electric loading. Under low electric loads, microcracks located ahead of the main crack emerged and grew and, as a result, impeded the growth of the main crack. On the other hand, under high electric loads, microcracks were absent, and the main crack was the only mode of fatigue cracking. The main crack grew macroscopically along the original path perpendicular to the electric field. Microscopically, the crack grew along the grain boundaries and grain breakaway was observed. The crack growth rate was nonlinearly related to the cyclic electric load. Similar to mechanical fatigue, there existed a crack growth threshold in the applied electric-field amplitude below which the crack ceased to grow. A steady crack growth occurred when the applied electric field exceeded this threshold. An empirical model for crack growth was obtained. Domain-switching effect and fracture-mechanics concepts were used to explain the observed crack closure and crack growth under electric loads.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1551-2916.2004.00840.x
