Abstract
The stress intensity factor is estimated for a circular crack associated with a spherical particle subjected to thermoelastic stress field. It is shown that the stress intensity factor is a function of particle size, elastic and fracture properties of the two phases and preexisting crack length. Spontaneous matrix cracking will occur when the particle size exceeds critical value D c . Close agreement between calculated and measured value for D c is obtained. The model is applicable to all particulate composites where there is volume increase of a particle induced either by phase transformation or thermal expansion mismatch ( α m > α p ). The results of the present analysis fit very well the observations made on spontaneous cracking of a single phase materials possessing thermal expansion anisotropy or two phase materials possessing thermal expansion mismatch.
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