A detailed fractographic analysis of cleavage steps in silicon

A detailed analysis of cleavage steps present on fracture surfaces in pure silicon has been carried out using scanning electron microscopy. The results indicate that the mechanisms involved in both the formation of unfractured ligaments, produced when adjacent cleavage facets overlap, and the subsequent fracture of these ligaments to form cleavage steps, are quite complex. Specifically it is shown that, during ligament formation, the local crack fronts are deflected from their preferred (1 1 1) cleavage plane and that the fracture of these ligaments to form cleavage steps occurs in a very complex fashion producing very small microcleavage steps. It is shown that these latter steps are consistent with cleavage along both {1 1 1} and {0 1 1} planes.     

Fracture of precipitated NiTi shape memory alloys

The fracture mechanisms in single crystal and polycrystalline Ti-50.8at%Ni shape memory alloys containing Ti₃Ni₄ precipitates are studied using the scanning electron microscope (SEM). Aged materials with three different precipitate sizes (50 nm, 150 nm, and 400 nm), which have interfaces ranging from semi-coherent to incoherent, are considered. The mechanisms of material fracture identified in the single crystal NiTi are: 1. Nucleation, growth, and coalescence of voids from the Ti₃Ni₄ precipitates, 2. Cleavage fracture on {100} and {110} crystallographic planes, 3. Nucleation, growth, and coalescence of voids from fractured Ti-C inclusions. Cleavage and ductile tearing mechanisms also operate in polycrystalline NiTi, however, since the Ti-C inclusions are an artifact of single crystal growth processes, mechanism 3 was not discovered in the polycrystalline materials. Cleavage fracture and ductile tearing are found to act in conjunction, with the relative dominance of one over the other depending on the local precipitate size and concentration. As the Ti₃Ni₄ precipitate size increases to about 400 nm, the overall fracture is dominated by failure mechanism 1, and the cleavage markings become diffuse. Finally, we assert that the high tensile ductility of drawn NiTi polycrystals is due partially to the fact that drawn bar and wire stock usually have a strong {111} fiber texture. Such a texture promotes the initiation of the transformation at low stresses and concurrently prevents primary cleavage on the {100} or {110} planes.     

Ductile-brittle behavior at the (1 1 0)[0 0 1] crack in bcc iron crystals loaded in mode I

Fracture experiments performed at room temperature on four test samples made of Fe-3wt.%Si single crystals with an edge crack (1 1 0)[0 0 1] (crack plane, crack front) showed approximately 45° deflections of the crack from the initial crack plane (1 1 0). This behavior appeared to be independent on loading rate. Fractographic analysis confirmed that the cracks were deviated along {1 0 0} planes and the fracture was accompanied by dislocation slip and by twinning. 3D simulations at 300 K by molecular dynamic technique in bcc iron with edge cracks of equivalent orientation indicated that the crack itself could contribute to understanding of this behavior by three processes: twinning on oblique {1 1 2} planes, which hindered growth of the original crack, and by emission of dislocations on oblique {0 1 1} and {1 2 3} planes, which led to separation of the {1 0 0} planes and might cause decohesion and subsequent cleavage fracture along the mentioned planes.     

Fracture of Gd2 (MoO4)3 single crystals

Fracture behaviour of Gd2 (MoO4)3 single crystal, which is improper ferroelectric–ferroelastic, has been examined by means of point loading. There are three fracture planes in gadolinium molybdat (GMO): ;100} – main cleavage plane, {210} and {110} – secondary cleavage ones. It is shown that cracks have a tendency to transit from secondary planes up to cubic plane and vice versa. This would be considered as the main cause of river pattern appearance on fracture surfaces of samples. Mechanical twinning and crack growth are independent channels for relaxation of elastic energy in GMO, which do not connected between themselves, so excluding of twinning leads to increase of crack length.     

MODE I AND MIXED MODE I/II FATIGUE CRACKING IN Ni3Al(CrB) SINGLE CRYSTALS

Abstract— Nominal mode I and mixed mode I/II fatigue tests were carried out using the intermetallic compound Ni₃Al(CrB) in the form of single crystal specimens. The effects of crystal orientation and load mode on fatigue crack initiation and growth were studied. The fracture surfaces of the single crystals were characterized by a cleavage-like appearance and cracking occurred either on a single {111} plane or on multiple {111} planes irrespective of whether mode I or mixed mode I/II loadings were applied. It was found that the crack initiation and growth behaviour are dependent on both crystal orientation and applied loading mode. The cracking behaviour predicted by three mixed mode fracture criteria (MTS, SED and G criteria) in polycrystalline materials under mixed mode loading can be understood from the present results on single crystals.     

Effect of alpha prime due to 475 °C aging on fracture behavior and corrosion resistance of DIN 1.4575 and MA 956 high performance ferritic stainless steels

The 475 °C embrittlement in stainless steels is a well-known phenomenon associated to alpha prime (α′) formed by precipitation or spinodal decomposition. Many doubts still remain on the mechanism of α′ formation and its consequence on deformation and fracture mechanisms and corrosion resistance. In this investigation, the fracture behavior and corrosion resistance of two high performance ferritic stainless steels were investigated: a superferritic DIN 1.4575 and MA 956 superalloy were evaluated. Samples of both stainless steels (SS) were aged at 475 °C for periods varying from 1 to 1,080 h. Their fracture surfaces were observed using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and the cleavage planes were determined by electron backscattering diffraction (EBSD). Some samples were tested for corrosion resistance using electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) and potentiodynamic polarization. Brittle and ductile fractures were observed in both ferritic stainless steels after aging at 475 °C. For aging periods longer than 500 h, the ductile fracture regions completely disappeared. The cleavage plane in the DIN 1.4575 samples aged at 475 °C for 1,080 h was mainly {110}, however the {102}, {314}, and {131} families of planes were also detected. The pitting corrosion resistance decreased with aging at 475 °C. The effect of alpha prime on the corrosion resistance was more significant in the DIN 1.4575 SS comparatively to the Incoloy MA 956.     

Anisotropic flow and fracture in beryl [Be3Al2(SiO3)6]

Flow and fracture resulting from Vickers indentation testing on {0 0 0 1} and {10 0 } planar orientations have been examined. Flow characterized by indent shape differentiation was analysed to belong to the slip system with planes of the types { 10 0} and {11 0}. The ensuing fracture paths were resolved to propagate along {1 0 0} and {1 1 } cleavage planes whileK _c values obtained for them were 0.196 and 0.248 MPam^1/2, respectively.     

Charpy impact property related to {100} cleavage fracture in 15CrODS steel

Abstract

Based on the former results that delamination along {100} cleavage fracture leads to the improved absorbed energy, {100} cleavage plane was formed in parallel to the rolled plate by recrystallisation and cold roll processing in 15CrODS steel plate. Charpy impact properties were investigated in terms of notch direction against {100} cleavage plane. Notch with normal direction against {100} cleavage plane induced delamination fracture, but provided similar absorbed energy to that of conventional extruded bar. The transverse notch direction against {100} cleavage plane served higher absorbed energy at low temperature. Higher upper shelf energy and lower DBTT were attained in conventional hot extruded bar, which contains any crystallographic planes rotated around <110> axis at the transverse direction. The delamination fracture leading to high absorbed energy is significantly affected by a crystallographic morphology of the {100} cleavage plane perpendicular to transverse plane.     

A note on evaluating the fracture energy of thin ceramic layers by cleavage

A new method is suggested aimed at evaluating _IC , the mode I fracture energy of thin brittle layers. The fracture energy is obtained by cleaving a ceramic layer sandwiched between two metallic layers, joined by brazing. The driving force for the cleavage is the mismatch between the thermal expansion coefficients of the ceramic and the metallic layers. The fracture energy is calculated from the strain energy released in the cleaved sandwiched structure. Based on this method, the fracture energy of the ceramic layer can be evaluated if the cleavage temperature is known, either by visual inspection or instrumentation. The method is effective for thin ceramic layers, for the determination of the fracture energy of cleavage planes of single crystal brittle solids (provided the cleavage plane is within the plane of the specimen), and for the interfacial fracture energy of ceramic/ceramic or ceramic/metal joints. In order to verify and calibrate the test method, polycrystalline alumina thin plates were joined by brazing with Ti-6Al-4V alloy using Wesgo Cusil ABA alloy. The appropriate selection of materials and geometry, and some difficulties arising from this method are discussed.     

Low cycle fatigue of a polycrystalline Ni-based superalloy: Deformation substructure analysis

The deformation behavior of the polycrystalline superalloy R104 has been characterized via scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM). Specimens tested under low cycle fatigue (LCF) conditions were examined based on testing temperature, total strain range, and/or cycle number. Extensive electron microscopy characterization has revealed non-planar deformation to be a dominant mode in polycrystalline R104, resulting from ample cross-slipping processes between {1 1 1} and {1 0 0} planes. Somewhat unexpectedly, this mechanism appears at both low and high temperatures, although the macroscopic material response is quite different.     

Single crystal cleavage of brittle materials

Cleavage of brittle single crystals is reviewed and the historical criteria for the phenomenon are critically examined. Previously proposed criteria, including those based on crystal structure (crystal growth planes, the planes bounding the unit cell, and planar atomic packing) and crystal properties (ionic charge of possible cleavage planes, bond density, elastic modulus, and surface free energy), are found to be applicable only to particular crystals or to isostructural groups, but each lacks universal application. It is concluded that the fracture toughness (K _Ic) of the crystallographic planes is the most appropriate criterion. Measurements reveal that the cleavage toughnesses of brittle single crystals are usually about 1 MPa m^1/2 or less.Measurements of the fracture toughnesses of brittle polycrystalline aggregates are then compared to the single crystal cleavage values in those instances where reliable results are available for the same crystal structures. Polycrystalline toughnesses are consistently higher, in part because of the lack of continuity of cleavage cracks through the polycrystalline aggregates. However, the increment of toughness increase is only 1–2 MPa m^1/2. The role of grain texture or preferred crystal orientation is also addressed. It is concluded that polycrystalline aggregate toughnesses are often highly anisotropic and that the values for intensely oriented microstructures may approach those for single crystal cleavage.     

Texture of CoSi2 films on Si(111), (110) and (001) substrates

Synchrotron radiation was used to study the texture of polycrystalline CoSi₂ films that were formed by a solid-state reaction between a 30 nm Co film and Si(111), (110) and (001) substrates. All films were strongly textured, and several texture components were identified. We discuss the simultaneous occurrence of axiotaxy (i.e. alignment of lattice planes across the interface) and several different types of epitaxy in each of the films. Comparison of the different texture components observed on the three substrate orientations suggests a strong preference for the alignment of CoSi₂{110} planes in the film with Si{110} planes in the substrate, and twinning around Si[111] directions.     

High temperature,high strain rate embrittlement of Al-Mg-Mn alloy: evidence of cleavage of an fcc alloy

Abstract

The fracture behaviour in tension of an Al-Mg -Mn alloy has been investigated. At high temperatures and strain rates, intergranular brittle fracture is observed along with cleavage fracture. Intergranular fracture is related to local melting at the grain boundaries. Cleavage occurs in equal proportions on the {100} and {110} crystallographic planes. The area fraction of cleavage facets on the fracture surface has been quantified. Their initiation is shown to be related both to the liquid metal embrittlement of the grain boundaries and to the presence of brittle Mn containing particles at the grain boundaries. Cleavage fracture in an aluminium alloy also requires an inhibition of plastic flow which prevents plastic blunting at the crack tip. It is proposed that this modification of the plastic behaviour is provided by the decrease in stacking fault energy at high temperatures in Al-Mg alloys.     

A fractographic criterion for subcritical crack-growth boundaries in hot-pressed alumina

The percent intergranular fracture (PIF) was measured along radii extending from fracture origins in hot-pressed alumina specimens, fractured at various loading rates and temperatures, and plotted versus estimates of stress intensity factors (K _I) at the various crack lengths. Minima in PIF occur at values ofK _I that are close to the critical stress intensity factors (K _IC) for cleavage on various crystal lattice planes in sapphire. The subcritical crack-growth boundary (K _I=K _IC of the polycrystalline material) occurs near the primary minimum in PIF suggesting that this minimum can be used as a criterion for locating this boundary. In addition, it was noted that the polycrystallineK _IC (4.2 MPa m^1/2) is very close to theK _IC for fracture on {¯1 ¯1 2 6} planes which is 4.3 MPa m^1/2. These observations suggest that critical crack growth begins when increased fracture energy can no longer be absorbed by cleavage on these planes. There is a secondary minimum atK _I>K _IC that appears to be associated with theK _IC necessary for fracture on combinations of planes selected by the fracture as alternatives to the high fracture-toughness basal plane.     

砷化镓晶体力学特性的各向异性计算

砷化镓因其良好的光电特性被广泛应用于电子与半导体领域, 为推动砷化镓解理加工技术, 对砷化镓材料力学特性的各向异性进行计算并分析。本研究对砷化镓各个晶面之间的夹角、面间距、原子的密度等结构参数进行计算, 基于广义胡克定律结合压痕实验, 分析砷化镓材料表层弹性模量、泊松比、剪切模量、硬度、断裂韧性等力学特性在{100}晶面沿不同晶向力学性能的变化规律。结果表明: 砷化镓不同晶面间结构参数的不同是导致砷化镓力学特性呈现各向异性的主要原因; 砷化镓在{100}晶面上弹性模量、泊松比、剪切模量的各向异性均呈现出周期性变化, 且{100}晶面的剪切模量为恒值59.4 GPa; 砷化镓{100}晶面硬度的各向异性变化幅度较小, 断裂韧性变化幅度较大, 最小值为0.304 MPa·m^1/2, 位于<110>晶向, 确定<110>晶向是裂纹最容易扩展的晶向。     

Microstructural and crystallographic features of hydrogen-related fracture in lath martensitic steels

ABSTRACT

This paper summarised the microstructural and crystallographic features of hydrogen-related fracture under tensile deformation in martensitic steels. The specimens with relatively low strength exhibited quasi-cleavage fracture. Crystallographic orientation analysis demonstrated that the quasi-cleavage fracture occurred on {011} planes. On the other hand, the macroscopic fracture surface morphologies of the specimens with relatively high strength appeared to be intergranular-like. However, nature of the fracture was somewhat different from a typical intergranular fracture, and the fracture surfaces consisted of facets parallel to {011} planes on a microscopic level. Based on the experimental results, we concluded that the crystallographic feature of {011} plane itself had an important role on the hydrogen-related fracture.

This paper is part of a thematic issue on Hydrogen in Metallic Alloys     

Characterization of{101}*and{100}*α-Si_3N_4 Whiskers by HREM

The microstructure of both {10(?)1} and{10(?)0} (directions perpendicular to the {10(?)1}and {10(?)0} planes) α-Si_3N_4 whiskers were investi-gated by high resolution electron microscopy(HREM).On one side of the {10(?)1}α-Si_3N_4 whiskers many planar defects were ob-served,two kinds of micrograins on one side of the{10(?)0} whiskers were found.In one type,sepa-rated α-Si_3N_4 (28 H) micrograins had the sameorientation with respect to the matrix whisker;inthe other type,connected polymicrograins consistedof both α-and β-Si_3N_4 (14H).     

Experimental Observations and Computational Modeling of Fracturing in an Anisotropic Brittle Crystal (Sapphire)

The commonly used fracture criteria-maximum K_I, zero K_II, maximum hoop-stress, and maximum energy-release rate-predict similar fracture paths in isotropic materials, but not in anisotropic materials. In the general anisotropic case, the fracture path depends on the material-symmetry properties, the nature of the applied loads, and the overall geometry of the specimen. In addition, anisotropy in the material's resistance to fracturing plays a key role in defining crack initiation and its propagation path. Experiments are performed on notched specimens made from sapphire, a microscopically homogeneous and brittle single-crystal solid. The force required for fracture initiation is measured. The experimental measurements/observations are compared with the numerical results of the FEM simulations. A stress-based fracture parameter, is shown to be a good measure of the fracture criterion, where σ and E, respectively, are the tensile stress and Young's modulus in the direction normal to the cleavage plane, with surface energy γ , and R is a characteristic length, e.g., the notch radius. This parameter takes into account the effects of the surface energy of the corresponding cleavage plane, as well as the strength of the atomic bonds in the direction normal to the cleavage plane. More than two-thirds of the notched specimens fractured at the point and along a cleavage plane where A is maximum. The measurements of the applied force made it possible to quantitatively obtain a critical value for parameter A. Finally, experiments show that for the notched sapphire specimens the weakest family of cleavage planes, , are the fracture planes, although a few specimens fractured along non-cleavage planes. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Crystallography of brittle fracture and deformation twinning in ferritic steels

Abstract

The crystallography of brittle fracture and deformation twinning in ferritic steels is difficult to study experimentally, because of its three-dimensional aspects. The present paper reports the development of methodologies to study the phenomenon via customisation of various electron backscatter diffraction and SEM routes. It is shown that both direct (from the fracture surface) and indirect (from an adjacent polished side) measurements yield valuable information on crystallographic aspects of the fracture processes. Specifically, brittle fracture in three ferritic steels is studied: a C–Mn weld metal, a low alloy Mn–Mo–Ni steel similar to grade A533 and an ultralow carbon (0·002 wt-%C, 0·058 wt-%P) steel plate. The main conclusions resulting from development of the experimental techniques are that cleavage fracture occurs only on {001} planes, and that intergranular accommodation is present at the fracture surface. Further observations suggest that a cleavage side crack, initially deflected by a deformation twin, eventually blunts at the intersection of two deformation twins. This provides a mechanism for limiting the mean length of microcracks during brittle fracture.     

Fractography and structure of the subsurface cleavage zone in molybdenum

Transmission electron microscopy of thin foils was used to examine the structure of fracture surfaces of single crystals of molybdenum failed by cleavage along different crystallographic planes, and the dislocation structure of the zone adjacent to the fracture surface was also studied. The results show that cleavage steps are the main characteristic element in failure along any plane in the group of the examined planes ({100}, {110}, {211}, {123}). The number, dimensions, and crystal geometry of the cleavage steps depend on the cleavage plane. The primary cleavage elements are steps of the minimum size (height 8–17 nm). The results also show that with an increase of the work used in failure in transition from one cleavage of macroplane to another the thickness of the zone with high (in comparison with the initial value) dislocation density increases together with the dislocation density directly on the fracture surface.Translated from Problemy Prochnosti, No. 1, pp. 58–63, January, 1991.