Phase-field modeling of domain switching near crack tips in single crystal ferroelectrics

Abstract

Domain switching near a stationary crack tip in a single crystal of ferroelectric material is investigated. The phase-field approach applying the material polarization as the order parameter is used as the theoretical modeling framework, and the finite element method is used for the numerical solution technique. The electromechanical form of the <i>J</i>-integral is appropriately modified to account for the polarization gradient energy terms, and analyzed to illustrate the amount of shielding, or lack thereof, due to domain switching at the crack tip.