Propensity For Cracking Research Articles

Atomistic understanding of ductile-to-brittle transition in single crystal Si and GaAs under nanoscratch

Ensuring ductile removal in a grinding process is crucial for achieving the desired finish on a hard and brittle single crystal. This study provides new insights into the material removal processes in Si and GaAs single crystals, exploring their deformation behaviour using Berkovich and Conical tips to replicate contact from a fixed abrasive grit. Experimental observations are compared with Molecular Dynamic (MD) simulations to uncover the atomistic deformation mechanisms during the ductile-to-brittle transition (DBT). Notable plastic deformation and minimal cracking were consistently observed in Si, irrespective of the tips used. MD simulations supported this observation, revealing pronounced chip formation indicative of ductile material removal. The resistance to cracking in Si was attributed to amorphization induced by localized high contact stresses. In contrast, GaAs showed a propensity for cracking, with MD simulations revealing dislocation and slip band formation, and cracks emerging in the areas of substantial plastic deformation. These findings address phenomena not previously discernible in experimental studies due to the challenge of real-time observation. Moreover, the tip geometry was shown to significantly influence stress distribution, impacting deformation and crack formation in GaAs. This study also reveals limitations in predicting the critical depth for DBT in both Si and GaAs throught the amended Bifano, Dow, and Scattergood (aBDS) models and MD simulation, offering nuanced insights into these challenges that have not been extensively explored. It was found that the experimental results exceeded predictions by an order of magnitude. These discrepancies underscore the aBDS model's disregard for essential material properties and tip geometry, while the disparities between MD simulation and experiment are primarily attributed to the inherent limitations in the simulated length scales and challenges in detecting initial subsurface cracks.

Fatigue performance and damage of partially prestressed concrete beam with fiber reinforcement

Ordinary concrete exhibits low strength and a propensity for cracking. Carbon fibers and aramid fibers, as materials characterized by high strength, high toughness, and excellent fatigue resistance, can effectively limit the propagation of micro-cracks and enhance the strength of concrete. To explore the influence of different fiber types on the fatigue performance of prestressed concrete beams, this study initiates from the perspective of beam components. Employing a combination of experimental research and theoretical analysis, it conducts bending and constant-amplitude fatigue tests on 12 prestressed concrete beams with various fiber types. Based on the stiffness of the beam section and residual strain, the damage evolution patterns of the tested beams were described. The results indicated that the utilization of fiber-reinforced concrete significantly improves the fatigue life and residual bearing capacity of the beam components. Specifically, the residual bearing capacities of beams reinforced with carbon fibers, aramid fibers, and hybrid fibers increased by 58.6 %, 49.5 %, and 64.9 %, respectively. The analysis revealed that residual strain is a suitable indicator for describing fatigue damage in specimens and recommends prioritizing the concrete residual strain index. These findings provided a theoretical basis for the application of fiber-reinforced concrete in practical engineering projects and lifespan assessment.

Experimental investigation on solidification cracking & intergranular corrosion of AISI 321 & AISI 316 L dissimilar weld on pulsed current gas tungsten arc welding (PCGTAW)

Dissimilar metal combinations are frequently employed in the power generation and nuclear industries. Where stainless steel piping systems are connected to pressure vessels made of low-alloy steel, the subsystems of liquid rocket engines also have different, dissimilar material combinations. Dissimilar welding plays a vital role in ensuring the integrity, performance, and reliability of components and structures operating in cryogenic environments, in this study, plates of AISI 316L and AISI 321, each 5 mm thick, were successfully joined using the pulsed current gas tungsten arc welding (PCGTAW) technique with optimized process parameters. These weld joints are mostly present in rocket engines subjected to a cryogenic environment. Due to the low temperature environment, the metallurgical properties of these joints change, which affects their mechanical properties. As it is a structural part, PCGTAW welding is most common method for joining this kind of material.In this work, Microstructural analysis of the weldment revealed a combination of vermicular, lacy, and acicular ferrite morphologies in the fusion zone at the root, mid, and crown locations.Furthermore, no solidification cracking was detected in the weldments based on the optical micrograph and SEM results. Intergranular corrosion (IGC) testing indicated the absence of a ditch structure, suggesting that the heat-affected zone (HAZ) on both sides of the weld joint was not being susceptible to sensitization. However, the HAZ of the AISI 316L side exhibited coarser grains compared to AISI 321. Analysis of tensile properties revealed a significant influence of the testing environment on the tensile strength of the dissimilar welded joints. At room temperature, the average ultimate tensile strength (UTS) was measured as 621 MPa. Remarkably, at cryogenic conditions, the average tensile properties significantly increased to 1319 MPa.Microhardness analysis showed the highest hardness associated with the AISI 321 side. The fusion zone exhibited a large deviation in the hardness profile (205 ± 10 HV), with the highest average hardness observed in the middle part of the weld. However, the hot cracking behavior of the weld was investigated by using a suutula diagram at various locations of the weld. The investigation revealed that the Creq/Nieq ratio exceeded the critical threshold value, effectively diminishing the propensity for hot cracking in the fusion zone. Overall, these findings underscore the effectiveness of the PCGTAW technique in joining dissimilar materials, as well as the importance of microstructural and mechanical property evaluations, especially under extreme operating conditions such as cryogenic temperatures.Paraphrase.

Pre-softening HIP treatment enabled crack-healing and superior mechanical properties for René 142 superalloy fabricated via laser powder bed fusion

The generation of defects, such as cracks and pores, presents significant challenges for high-strength metals and alloys fabricated by the quick-emerging additive manufacturing technology, and subsequent post-processing treatments are often necessary before their practical applications. In this work, a novel heat treatment approach, involving a pre-softening treatment before hot isostatic pressing (HIP), is developed to facilitate the crack-healing in René 142 superalloy produced through laser powder bed fusion. Results demonstrate that René 142 alloy exhibits a propensity for severe cracking across a wide range of printing parameters, primarily in the form of solidification cracks and liquation cracks. These cracks are formed mainly due to a wide solidification range, the presence of a liquid film, and the concentration of residual stress. The pre-softening solution heat treatment significantly reduces dislocation density and residual stress levels, and the subsequent HIP together leads to a defect-free, dense structure for René 142 superalloy. Consequently, the René 142 alloy processed by the pre-softening HIP treatment achieves an excellent combination of yield strength (850 MPa), ultimate tensile strength (1227 MPa), and elongation (13.7 %), with pseudo-equiaxed grains (120–150 μm) and square γ′ precipitates (approximately 540 nm). These findings provide valuable insights for exploring crack elimination methods in other nickel-based superalloys fabricated through additive manufacturing.

Twinning-dominated microstructure evolution and deformation mechanism during cold rolling in pure rhenium

The extremely high work hardening rate and the high cracking propensity were the main challenges that limit the successful deformation processing of rhenium. Rolling tests to 82% thickness reduction were conducted at room temperature, and three-stage twining evolution behavior was revealed. At 10% rolling reduction, primary {112¯1} tension twins were activated and dislocation accumulation appeared near the twin boundary. As the rolling reduction increases to 45%, twin-twin interactions prevailed and abundant GNDs accumulated around {112¯1} twin boundaries and {112¯1} twin- {112¯1} twin interactions. More importantly, A new twinning sequence behavior in rhenium, secondary {112¯1} twins within primary {112¯1} twins, was investigated. After twinning saturation, shear bands were formed due to the promoted local plastic deformation by the twin lamellar structure and submicron-scale isolated twins, which brought pronounced strengthening of rhenium. The extremely high work hardening rate of rhenium was found to mainly originate from the twin lamellar structure and twin-twin interactions. High temperature annealing released the stored strain energy, achieving a synergistic effect of high tensile strength and ductility. This study provides a systematic investigation into the deformation structure during the large reduction cold rolling in rhenium and provides insights into unique twinning evolution and shear bands.

Functionally graded Tribaloy™ T800 and austenitic stainless steel by laser additive manufacturing

Laser additive manufacturing (LAM) of Tribaloy™ T800 (T800) is susceptible to developing cracks during manufacturing due to the formation of a high-volume fraction of the intermetallic Laves phase which imparts brittleness to the material. To resolve this problem, AISI 316 L stainless steel (SS316L) has been incorporated to develop a novel functionally graded Tribaloy™ T800 (FG-T800) structure by LAM. By increasing the fraction of SS316L from the surface to the interior we have demonstrated surface hardness and sliding wear resistance similar to T800 while allowing modification of the amount and morphology of the brittle Laves phase across the deposit depth. In this manner, a tougher core with a reduced propensity for cracking is achieved. This new LAM-based manufacturing approach has the potential to deliver functionally graded material (FGM) structures for T800 cladding and solid components, thereby enhancing performance or component life.

Optimization of process parameters of cold metal transfer arc welding of AA 6061 aluminium Alloy-AZ31B magnesium alloy dissimilar joints using response surface methodology

The fabrication of dissimilar metal joints, particularly between AA 6061 aluminum alloy (Al) and AZ31B magnesium alloy (Mg), poses significant technical challenges due to their distinct metallurgical characteristics and the inherent difficulties associated with welding such materials. These challenges include the propensity for intermetallic compound formation, thermal cracking, and differences in thermal and mechanical properties between the two alloys. Cold Metal Transfer (CMT) welding, known for its low heat input and controlled metal transfer, offers a potential solution to these issues. However, optimizing the process parameters to ensure strong, defect-free joints requires a systematic approach. This study aims to optimize CMT welding parameters using parametric mathematical modeling (PMM) to produce high-strength Al and Mg dissimilar joints and to study the effects of CMT parameters on tensile strength (TS) and weld metal hardness (WMH), as well as the microstructural features of AA 6061 aluminum alloy/AZ31B magnesium alloy (Al/Mg) dissimilar joints. Al/Mg dissimilar butt joints were produced by the CMT process using ER4043 as filler wire. CMT, a low-heat input welding technique, was used to mitigate issues such as intermetallic compounds (IMCs), wider heat-affected zone (HAZ), and distortion. The CMT parameters, particularly wire feed speed (WFS), welding speed (WS), and arc length correction (ALC), were optimized using response surface methodology (RSM) to maximize the TS and WMH of the Al/Mg dissimilar joints. Polynomial regression was employed to create PMMs that integrated these CMT parameters to forecast the TS and WMH of the joints. An analysis of variance (ANOVA) was applied to assess the feasibility of the PMMs. The results indicated that the Al/Mg dissimilar joints, produced using a WFS of 4700 mm/min, a WS of 280 mm/min, and an ALC of 10%, exhibited higher TS and WMH values of 33 MPa and 95.8 HV, respectively. The PMMs provided precise forecasts for the TS and WMH of the Al/Mg joints with an error rate of less than 1% and a confidence level of 97%.

Chemical resistance testing of plastics: material compatibility of detergent and disinfectant products

Surface cleaning and disinfection is a key part of breaking the chain of transmission and reducing the risk of healthcare associated infections. However, if cleaning and disinfectant formulations are incompatible with surface materials, frequent application can cause premature failure of plastics due to environmental stress cracking (ESC). Material compatibility should be considered when selecting cleaning and disinfecting products. This study evaluated the tendency of 2-in-1 wet wipes to cause ESC in commonly found healthcare plastics. Eight ready-to-use 2-in-1 wet wipes were evaluated for their ability to cause ESC in 13 plastic surfaces in accordance with BS EN ISO-22088-3. Polymers were exposed to fluid extracted from wipes at a fixed strain of 0.5% for seven days and assessed for cracking, crazing, and tensile strength in accordance with ISO 527-2:2012. All 2-in-1 wet wipes tested contained ESC agents, although the severity of ESC varied. Products with higher pH (>8.0) were responsible for 74% of failures, with 22 of the 39 tested plastics visibly cracking. Although the primary active in all tested wipe formulations were quaternary ammonium compounds, formulations that included small/medium amines or alcohol demonstrated a greater propensity for plastic cracking. Each disinfectant formulation exhibits a unique spectrum of microbial efficacy and unique potential to cause surface damage. This may result in device failures and recalls that could compromise patient and staff safety. BS EN ISO-22088-3 can support material compatibility assessments of disinfectant and detergent products before they come to market.

Drying shrinkage inhibition effect and mechanism of polyol shrinkagex reducing admixture on the metakaolin-based geopolymer

Geopolymers, environmentally friendly materials, face application limitations due to their high drying shrinkage and propensity for cracking. The shrinkage reducing admixture (SRA) has shown promise in mitigating drying shrinkage in cement-based materials, yet its impact and mechanism in geopolymers remain uncertain. This study examines the influence of the small molecule polyol SRA-2-methyl-2,4-pentanediol on metakaolin-based geopolymer (MKG) properties and its multiscale structural development, aiming to understand the drying shrinkage behavior. The findings reveal that SRA significantly curbs the drying shrinkage of MKG while also reducing its mechanical properties. Analyses of macroscopic and microscopic properties indicate that while SRA does not alter the hydration products of MKG, it can impede the hydration process, particularly in the early stages. Specifically, SRA inhibits the formation of N-A-S-H gel, thereby reducing shrinkage caused by late-stage polycondensation. Furthermore, the alkaline environment in MKG aids SRA in lowering pore solution surface tension and increasing its contact angle, reducing drying shrinkage forces. Additionally, SRA modifies MKG's micro-structure, decreasing pore volume, particularly in the 10–50 nm range, further mitigating shrinkage due to surface tension.

Eutectic composition titanium metal matrix composites for laser powder bed fusion via surface remelt analyses

Ti-based metal matrix composites (MMCs) represent a material class with highly desired performance for the aerospace industry, but implementation has been hindered by poor processability. It is now being realised that MMCs can be formed in situ through the exploitation of rapid cooling rates of laser powder bed fusion, and targeting invariant reaction compositions to minimise the propensity for solidification cracking. We perform laser line scans and surface remelts of arc-melted Ti–0.38C, Ti–1.67B, Ti–8.5Si and Ti–32.5Fe wt-% eutectic compositions to assess potential material amenability to the laser powder bed fusion (LPBF) process at low cost as well as determining the nanostructure and hardness properties. The results indicate that MMCs are amenable to LPBF and may outperform conventional alloys.

Effect of the Laser Cladding Parameters on the Crack Formation and Microstructure during Nickel Superalloy Gas Turbine Engines Repair

Cracking of nickel superalloys with a high content of γ’-phase remains an unresolved problem, including in technologies for repairing gas turbine engines blades. Laser cladding is a method of material deposition used to repair parts exposed to aggressive environment and surface wear. Cladding parameters have a high influence on cracking susceptibility nickel superalloys. Alloy ZhS32 has a high propensity for hot cracking when exposed to laser radiation. In this work, the study of the structural and phase features of ZhS32 alloy was carried out. A high tendency to form segregation of refractory elements and carbides in the intergranular areas was found. The features of the structure and phase composition of the material for different cladding parameters were studied. The main contribution of technological parameters to the formation of cracks is shown.

Methods for measuring plastic shrinkage and related cracking of 3D-printed concrete

Developments in the application of the 3D concrete printing (3DCP) technology in the construction industry over the past few years are providing a chance to increase productivity and cost efficiency. However, before reaching an industrial stage of the 3DCP technology several hurdles should be overcome. One of the major challenges is to guarantee high durability and long-life cycle of the printed elements. Since 3D-printed elements are subjected to very early and fast evaporation of the pore water, accelerated capillary pressure build-up may lead to severe plastic shrinkage and, consequently, a high cracking propensity of the 3D-printed elements. Durability and robustness would be severely impaired. Experimental quantification of the plastic shrinkage and related cracking is essential to identify appropriate mitigation strategies. The article at hand presents innovative approaches for quantification of the plastic shrinkage and related cracking of the printable cementitious compositions by means of contactless 3D digital image correlation technique. Various experimental setups were presented and their effectiveness for measurement of the plastic shrinkage and plastic shrinkage cracking were analysed.

Additive manufacturing of in-situ gas-alloyed functionally-graded titanium

Titanium and its alloys are known to have inadequate tribological properties excluding these alloys from applications involving interacting surfaces. Introducing a method to improve titanium’s surface hardness will extend the opportunity to use titanium for applications involving wear surfaces. Additive manufacturing of grade 5 titanium with functionally-graded hardness is demonstrated via in-situ gas alloying. To achieve this, argon:nitrogen mixtures are selectively introduced during a laser directed energy deposition process. Control of the concentration and means of nitrogen introduction is found to effect nitrogen uptake, microstructure, resulting hardness, and propensity for cracking. A functionally-graded titanium structure with surface hardness exceeding 600 HV0.3 and without any instances of cracking was produced. Process-structure-property relationships of in-situ, gas-alloyed titanium are analyzed to investigate the limitations of the technology and identify applications.

Welding of Super Duplex Stainless Steel and Austenitic Stainless Steel:#xd; Influence and Role of Bicomponent Fluxes

ABSTRACT This study investigated dissimilar tungsten inert gas and activated tungsten inert gas welding experimental results of austenitic 202 with a super duplex 32760 stainless steel. Their microstructural study revealed a balanced austenite-ferrite morphology that mainly consisted of Widmanstatten austenite (WA), grain boundary austenite (GA), and intergranular austenite (IGA). The study showed that the use of flux reduced the heat input necessary to achieve complete penetration, which tends to increase ferrite count in the heat-affected zone and the weld zone of weldment, resulting in minimizing the hot cracking propensity. Further, structure-property connections were also established by evaluating these two weldments’ tensile strength, impact strength, and microhardness. It was determined that weldments of activated tungsten inert gas weldment had better mechanical properties than traditional tungsten inert gas weldment. A weld zone fracture occurred near the austenitic weld interface in both weldments. It was noticed that unmixed zone formation on the side of the austenitic steel was to blame for the poor mechanical properties and failure of tungsten inert gas and activated tungsten inert gas weld joints. In both cases, the hardness distribution in the weld zones is ranked as super duplex stainless steel base metal > heat-affected zone of super duplex steel side > welded zone > heat-affected zone of austenitic steel side > austenitic base metal.

Alleviating expansion-induced mechanical degradation in lithium-ion battery silicon anodes via morphological design

The mechanics of films undergoing volume expansion on curved substrates plays a key role in a variety of technologies including biomedical implants, thermal and environmental barrier coatings, and electrochemical energy storage systems. Silicon anodes for lithium-ion batteries are an especially challenging case because they can undergo volume variations up to 300% that results in cracking, delamination, and thus significant loss in performance. In this study, we use finite element analysis to model the volume expansion during lithiation for silicon coated on spinodal, inverse opal, gyroid, and Schwartz primitive nickel backbones and compare the distributions of maximum principal stress, strain energy density, and von Mises stress, which we use as indicators for propensity for cracking, delamination, and yielding, in order to explore the effect of backbone morphology on mechanical degradation during expansion. We show that, when compared to the inverse opal, the spinodal morphology reduces and uniformly distributes the maximum principal stress and strain energy density in the silicon layer, and delays the onset of expansion-induced yielding at all silicon layer thicknesses, which we ascribe to the unique interfacial curvature distribution of spinodal structures. This work highlights the importance of morphology on coatings undergoing volume variations and unveils the particular promise of spinodally derived materials for the design of next generation lithium-ion battery electrodes.

Load dependent microstructural evolution in an as-cast 26% Cr high chromium cast iron during unlubricated sliding

In the current study, an as-cast 26% Cr high chromium cast iron (HCCI) alloy was subjected to dry-sliding linear wear tests, under different loads. The loads were selected based on analytically computing the critical load (PC) i.e., the load necessary to induce plastic deformation. The PC was calculated to be 15 N and accordingly, a sub-critical load (5 N) and an over-critical load (20 N) were chosen. The influence of increasing the load during the wear test was investigated in terms of the matrix microstructural behaviour and its ability to support the surrounding carbides. The morphological aspects of the wear tracks, and the deformed matrix microstructure adjacent and underneath the track was analysed by confocal laser scanning microscope (CLSM) and scanning electron microscope (SEM), respectively. No evidence of plastic deformation of the matrix was observed below PC. On the contrary, at loads equal to and higher than PC, the austenitic matrix plastically deformed as evidenced by the presence of slip bands. Electron backscattered diffraction (EBSD) measurements in terms of grain reference orientation deviation, and micro-Vickers hardness of the austenitic matrix indicated a deformation depth of about 40 µm at the maximum applied load of 20 N. The active wear mechanisms during sliding were a combination of both adhesive and abrasive wear, although increasing the load shifted the dominant mechanism towards abrasion. This was primarily attributable to the increased propensity for carbide cracking and fracturing, combined with the inability of the hardened austenitic matrix surface and sub-surface to adequately support the broken carbide fragments. Moreover, the shift in the dominant wear mechanism was also reflected in the wear volume and subsequently, the wear rate.

Internal stresses in a clad pressure vessel steel during post weld heat treatment and their relevance to underclad cracking

A potential connection between the residual stresses generated by a cladding operation, the thermal stresses generated during post weld heat treatment (PWHT), and the propensity for underclad cracking was investigated. As-deposited residual stresses were measured at ambient temperature, using the contour method and neutron diffraction. Measurements were performed in 20mm thick steel substrates that were partially clad with AISI grade 309 (layer 1) and grade 308 (layer 2) stainless steels, using the submerged-arc welding process. Neutron diffraction measurements were also performed after heating the clad samples to 200 and 325°C. The mechanical properties in each region within the steel heat affected zone (HAZ) were determined, at those same temperatures, by subjecting coupons to simulated cladding thermal cycles and then to tension tests. Substantial tensile residual stresses in the HAZ were measured after cladding. These persisted during subsequent heating to 325°C: a temperature that is approximately at the mid-point of the heating ramp in a typical PWHT cycle. The tensile results, however, indicated that each microstructural zone within the HAZ is likely to retain sufficient ductility to prevent fracture, and that underclad cracking is unlikely to occur during the early stages of the PWHT ramp.

Microstructure and defects in a Ni-Cr-Al-Ti γ/γ’ model superalloy processed by laser powder bed fusion

Additive manufacturing (AM) of non-weldable high-γ’ Ni base superalloys is challenging due to various issues, but notably because of their inherent cracking propensity. Typically, the segregation of melting point-depressant elements to grain boundaries (GB) drastically increases the solidification interval, allowing the high processing-induced stresses in the parts to pull apart the liquid film at GBs. To achieve a better understanding of the consolidation process of nickel superalloys as well as the origin of defects and cracks, a simplified model γ/γ’-strengthened Ni-Cr-Al-Ti alloy with reduced solidification interval, related to the commercial CM247LC alloy, is investigated under a large parameter survey. The consolidation behavior is typical of nickel superalloys produced by AM, with the optimal condition being a compromise between cracking and porosity. The cracking mechanism is, however, changed to solid-state cracking, localized at high-angle GBs, and likely due to the lack of GB strengthening phases and the inherently low strength of this simplified alloy. Transmission electron microscopy and atom probe tomography reveal elemental segregation of Ti, and to a lower extent Cr and Al, to the solidification cell boundaries, in agreement with Calphad calculations. No γ’ precipitates are observed in the as-processed condition, indicating that all elements remain in solid solution. No chemical differences are observed between cracked and non-cracked boundaries. Trace amounts of oxygen contained in the powder lead to Al2O3 slag formation, as well as nano oxide dispersoid incorporation. Sulfur, a critical contaminant in superalloys, is detected but rendered harmless by the formation of TiS nanoprecipitates.

Role of Microstructure on Impact Response and Damage Morphology of Ice-Templated Porous Ceramics

The central focus of this study is to investigate the influence of microstructure and direction of impact (relative to the growth direction of ice crystals) on the impact behavior of ice-templated sintered alumina materials and understand the relationship between dynamic compressive strength and impact response. All materials were fabricated using alumina suspensions of the same solid loading but at three different freezing front velocity (FFV) regimes; very-high FFV, moderately-high FFV, and low FFV. Lamella wall thickness, pore size, and pore aspect ratio decreased, and wall connectivity increased with FFV. Materials also exhibited a structural gradient along the growth direction of ice crystals. As the templated microstructure became finer with FFV, the impact resistance of the materials increased, and radius of damage crater, depth-of-penetration, and mass loss decreased. Materials also exhibited radial cracking, and the materials fabricated at very-high FFV showed a greater propensity for radial cracking for impact along the growth direction. The impact process evolved in three phases; penetration phase, dwell phase and rebound phase. Analysis of high-speed videos revealed that modifying the microstructure affected not only the impact resistance but also the duration of these phases. Variation in microstructure caused a change in the mechanism of damage evolution during impact. Dynamic compressive strength increased with FFV, and the results revealed a direct relationship between impact response and strength. For both impact and dynamic compression, energy absorption per unit volume increased with FFV, further reinforcing the relationship between impact behavior and the dynamic compressive response of ice-templated materials.

Analysis of chemical stress and the propensity for cracking during the vertical Bridgman growth of BaBrCl:Eu

Computational models are employed to analyze residual chemical stresses arising from compositional variations in europium-doped BaBrCl crystals grown by the vertical Bridgman method. We find that significant chemical stress is produced by radial segregation of Eu in this system. In particular, the distribution of normal stresses is set by the radial concentration gradient, whose changing sign produces surface states in tension or compression. Crack opening from surface flaws will be promoted or suppressed by tensile or compressive surface stresses, respectively. Thus, crystal growth processing strategies that change the radial dopant concentration gradients are posited to affect the propensity for cracking. For this system, surface stresses are changed from states of tension to compression when the growth rate is increased, thus improving the chances to avoid cracking—a strategy that defies classical wisdom that dictates slower growth to improve outcomes. Similar strategies affecting segregation may prove beneficial to tailor chemical stress fields to reduce cracking in other crystal growth systems.