The cohesive zone model in a problem of delayed hydride cracking of zirconium alloys

The crack tip model with the cohesive zone ahead of a finite crack tip has been presented. The estimation of the length of the cohesive zone and the crack tip opening displacement is based on the comparison of the local stress concentration, according to Westergaard's theory, with the cohesive stress. To calculate the cohesive stress, von Mises yield condition at the boundary of the cohesive zone is employed for plane strain and plane stress. The model of the stress distribution with the maximum stress within the cohesive zone is discussed. Local criterion of brittle fracture and modelling of the fracture process zone by cohesive zone were used to describe fracture initiation at the hydride platelet in the process zone ahead of the crack tip. It was shown that the theoretical K _IH-estimation applied to the case of mixed plane condition within the process zone is qualitatively consistent with experimental data for unirradiated Zr-2.5Nb alloy. In the framework of the proposed model, the theoretical value of K ^H _IC for a single hydride platelet at the crack tip has been also estimated.