Peridynamic-based investigation of the cracking behavior of multilayer thermal barrier coatings

Numerical simulations of the cracking behavior of the top layers of multilayer thermal barrier coatings (TBCs) can effectively reveal the failure mechanisms of the TBCs. Current finite element method (FEM)-based simulation means have been applied to solve certain simple cracking problems in TBCs; however, they cannot effectively describe complex cracking problems in TBCs such as coalescence, intersection, and interference among multiple cracks. Peridynamic (PD), a newly developed mechanical theory, has been widely studied to provide analysis for cracking problems in TBCs. In this paper, a numerical model of TBCs is built by the bond-based PD (BB-PD) theory. Complex cracking behaviors, such as spontaneous crack propagation at both interfacial and internal regions, coalescence, and interference among multiple cracks, are simulated under isothermal cooling and gradient cooling conditions. In addition, the effects of interfacial roughness and calcium–magnesium–alumina–silicate (CMAS) inclusions on the cracking behavior are discussed. The results show that the PD model accurately captures complex cracking behaviors observed via scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Given the ability of the model for analyzing discontinuities in TBCs, it can help to further clarify the fracture mechanisms of TBCs.