Mixed Mode Effects on the Interfacial Crack Propagation

Abstract

Initiation and propagation of interfacial crack along bimaterial interface are considered in this study. A series of interfacial crack initiation and propagation experiments are conducted using the biaxial loading device for various mixed modes. Normal crack opening displacement (NCOD) is measured near crack front by a crack opening interferometry and used for extracting fracture parameters. From mixed mode interfacial crack initiation experiments, large increase in toughness with shear components is observed. Initial velocity of crack propagation is very dependent upon the mode-mixes. It increased with positive mode-mix due to the increase of stress singularities ahead of crack front and decreased with negative mode-mix resulting from the increase of the degree of compressive stress behind the crack front. Crack propagation was less accelerated with positive mode-mix than the negative mode-mix.