Brittleness

About: Brittleness is a research topic. Over the lifetime, 20939 publications have been published within this topic receiving 461437 citations. The topic is also known as: Brittle.

Mechanical properties of nanostructure of biological materials

Abstract: Natural biological materials such as bone, teeth and nacre are nanocomposites of protein and mineral with superior strength. It is quite a marvel that nature produces hard and tough materials out of protein as soft as human skin and mineral as brittle as classroom chalk. What are the secrets of nature? Can we learn from this to produce bio-inspired materials in the laboratory? These questions have motivated us to investigate the mechanics of protein–mineral nanocomposite structure. Large aspect ratios and a staggered alignment of mineral platelets are found to be the key factors contributing to the large stiffness of biomaterials. A tension–shear chain (TSC) model of biological nanostructure reveals that the strength of biomaterials hinges upon optimizing the tensile strength of the mineral crystals. As the size of the mineral crystals is reduced to nanoscale, they become insensitive to flaws with strength approaching the theoretical strength of atomic bonds. The optimized tensile strength of mineral crystals thus allows a large amount of fracture energy to be dissipated in protein via shear deformation and consequently enhances the fracture toughness of biocomposites. We derive viscoelastic properties of the protein–mineral nanostructure and show that the toughness of biocomposite can be further enhanced by the viscoelastic properties of protein.

The transition from brittle faulting to cataclastic flow in porous sandstones: Mechanical deformation

Abstract: Triaxial compression experiments were conducted to investigate the inelastic and failure behavior of six sandstones with porosities ranging from 15% to 35%. A broad range of effective pressures was used so that the transition in failure mode from brittle faulting to cataclastic flow could be observed. In the brittle faulting regime, shear-induced dilation initiates in the prepeak stage at a stress level C' which increases with effective mean stress. Under elevated effective pressures, a sample fails by cataclastic flow. Strain hardening and shear-enhanced compaction initiates at a stress level C* which decreases with increasing effective mean stress. The critical stresses C' and C* were marked by surges in acoustic emission. In the stress space, C* maps out an approximately elliptical yield envelope, in accordance with the critical state and cap models. Using plasticity theory, the flow rule associated with this yield envelope was used to predict porosity changes which are comparable to experimental data. In the brittle faulting regime the associated flow rule predicts dilatancy to increase with decreasing effective pressure in qualitative agreement with the experimental observations. The data were also compared with prediction of a nonassociative model on the onset of shear localization. Experimental data suggest that a quantitative measure of brittleness is provided by the grain crushing pressure (which decreases with increasing porosity and grain size). Geologic data on tectonic faulting in siliciclastic formations (of different porosity and grain size) are consistent with the laboratory observations.

Mechanisms of fatigue-crack propagation in ductile and brittle solids

Abstract: The mechanisms of fatigue-crack propagation are examined with particular emphasis on the similarities and differences between cyclic crack growth in ductile materials, such as metals, and corresponding behavior in brittle materials, such as intermetallics and ceramics. This is achieved by considering the process of fatigue-crack growth as a mutual competition between intrinsic mechanisms of crack advance ahead of the crack tip (e.g., alternating crack-tip blunting and resharpening), which promote crack growth, and extrinsic mechanisms of crack-tip shielding behind the tip (e.g., crack closure and bridging), which impede it. The widely differing nature of these mechanisms in ductile and brittle materials and their specific dependence upon the alternating and maximum driving forces (e.g., ΔK andK max) provide a useful distinction of the process of fatigue-crack propagation in different classes of materials; moreover, it provides a rationalization for the effect of such factors as load ratio and crack size. Finally, the differing susceptibility of ductile and brittle materials to cyclic degradation has broad implications for their potential structural application; this is briefly discussed with reference to lifetime prediction.

Mechanical properties of ceramics

Abstract: Preface. Acknowledgments. 1 Stress and Strain. 1.1 Introduction. 1.2 Tensor Notation for Stress. 1.3 Stress in Rotated Coordinate System. 1.4 Principal Stress. 1.4.1 Principal Stresses in Three Dimensions. 1.5 Stress Invariants. 1.6 Stress Deviator. 1.7 Strain. 1.8 True Stress and True Strain. 1.8.1 True Strain. 1.8.2 True Stress. Problems. 2 Types of Mechanical Behavior. 2.1 Introduction. 2.2 Elasticity and Brittle Fracture. 2.3 Permanent Deformation. 3 Elasticity. 3.1 Introduction. 3.2 Elasticity of Isotropic Bodies. 3.3 Reduced Notation for Stresses, Strains, and Elastic Constants. 3.4 Effect of Symmetry on Elastic Constants. 3.5 Orientation Dependence of Elastic Moduli in Single Crystals and Composites. 3.6 Values of Polycrystalline Moduli in Terms of Single-Crystal Constants. 3.7 Variation of Elastic Constants with Lattice Parameter. 3.8 Variation of Elastic Constants with Temperature. 3.9 Elastic Properties of Porous Ceramics. 3.10 Stored Elastic Energy. Problems. 4 Strength of Defect-Free Solids. 4.1 Introduction. 4.2 Theoretical Strength in Tension. 4.3 Theoretical Strength in Shear. Problems. 5 Linear Elastic Fracture Mechanics. 5.1 Introduction. 5.2 Stress Concentrations. 5.3 Griffith Theory of Fracture of a Brittle Solid. 5.4 Stress at Crack Tip: An Estimate. 5.5 Crack Shape in Brittle Solids. 5.6 Irwin Formulation of Fracture Mechanics: Stress Intensity Factor. 5.7 Irwin Formulation of Fracture Mechanics: Energy Release Rate. 5.8 Some Useful Stress Intensity Factors. 5.9 The J Integral. 5.10 Cracks with Internal Loading. 5.11 Failure under Multiaxial Stress. Problems. 6 Measurements of Elasticity, Strength, and Fracture Toughness. 6.1 Introduction. 6.2 Tensile Tests. 6.3 Flexure Tests. 6.4 Double-Cantilever-Beam Test. 6.5 Double-Torsion Test. 6.6 Indentation Test. 6.7 Biaxial Flexure Testing. 6.8 Elastic Constant Determination Using Vibrational and Ultrasonic Methods. Problems. 7 Statistical Treatment of Strength. 7.1 Introduction. 7.2 Statistical Distributions. 7.3 Strength Distribution Functions. 7.4 Weakest Link Theory. 7.5 Determining Weibull Parameters. 7.6 Effect of Specimen Size. 7.7 Adaptation to Bend Testing. 7.8 Safety Factors. 7.9 Example of Safe Stress Calculation. 7.10 Proof Testing. 7.11 Use of Pooled Fracture Data in Linear Regression Determination of Weibull Parameters. 7.12 Method of Maximum Likelihood in Weibull Parameter Estimation. 7.13 Statistics of Failure under Multiaxial Stress. 7.14 Effects of Slow Crack Propagation and R-Curve Behavior on Statistical Distributions of Strength. 7.15 Surface Flaw Distributions and Multiple Flaw Distributions. Problems. 8 Subcritical Crack Propagation. 8.1 Introduction. 8.2 Observed Subcritical Crack Propagation. 8.3 Crack Velocity Theory and Molecular Mechanism. 8.4 Time to Failure under Constant Stress. 8.5 Failure under Constant Stress Rate. 8.6 Comparison of Times to Failure under Constant Stress and Constant Stress Rate. 8.7 Relation of Weibull Statistical Parameters with and without Subcritical Crack Growth. 8.8 Construction of Strength-Probability-Time Diagrams. 8.9 Proof Testing to Guarantee Minimum Life. 8.10 Subcritical Crack Growth and Failure from Flaws Originating from Residual Stress Concentrations. 8.11 Slow Crack Propagation at High Temperature. Problems. 9 Stable Crack Propagation and R -Curve Behavior. 9.1 Introduction. 9.2 R-Curve (T-Curve) Concept. 9.3 R-Curve Effects of Strength Distributions. 9.4 Effect of R Curve on Subcritical Crack Growth. Problems. 10 Overview of Toughening Mechanisms in Ceramics. 10.1 Introduction. 10.2 Toughening by Crack Deflection. 10.3 Toughening by Crack Bowing. 10.4 General Remarks on Crack Tip Shielding. 11 Effect of Microstructure on Toughness and Strength. 11.1 Introduction. 11.2 Fracture Modes in Polycrystalline Ceramics. 11.3 Crystalline Anisotropy in Polycrystalline Ceramics. 11.4 Effect of Grain Size on Toughness. 11.5 Natural Flaws in Polycrystalline Ceramics. 11.6 Effect of Grain Size on Fracture Strength. 11.7 Effect of Second-Phase Particles on Fracture Strength. 11.8 Relationship between Strength and Toughness. 11.9 Effect of Porosity on Toughness and Strength. 11.10 Fracture of Traditional Ceramics. Problems. 12 Toughening by Transformation. 12.1 Introduction. 12.2 Basic Facts of Transformation Toughening. 12.3 Theory of Transformation Toughening. 12.4 Shear-Dilatant Transformation Theory. 12.5 Grain-Size-Dependent Transformation Behavior. 12.6 Application of Theory to Ca-Stabilized Zirconia. Problems. 13 Mechanical Properties of Continuous-Fiber-Reinforced Ceramic Matrix Composites. 13.1 Introduction. 13.2 Elastic Behavior of Composites. 13.3 Fracture Behavior of Composites with Continuous, Aligned Fibers. 13.4 Complete Matrix Cracking of Composites with Continuous, Aligned Fibers. 13.5 Propagation of Short, Fully Bridged Cracks. 13.6 Propagation of Partially Bridged Cracks. 13.7 Additional Treatment of Crack-Bridging Effects. 13.8 Additional Statistical Treatments. 13.9 Summary of Fiber-Toughening Mechanisms. 13.10 Other Failure Mechanisms in Continuous, Aligned-Fiber Composites. 13.11 Tensile Stress-Strain Curve of Continuous, Aligned-Fiber Composites. 13.12 Laminated Composites. Problems. 14 Mechanical Properties of Whisker-, Ligament-, and Platelet-Reinforced Ceramic Matrix Composites. 14.1 Introduction. 14.2 Model for Whisker Toughening. 14.3 Combined Toughening Mechanisms in Whisker-Reinforced Composites. 14.4 Ligament-Reinforced Ceramic Matrix Composites. 14.5 Platelet-Reinforced Ceramic Matrix Composites. Problems. 15 Cyclic Fatigue of Ceramics. 15.1 Introduction. 15.2 Cyclic Fatigue of Metals. 15.3 Cyclic Fatigue of Ceramics. 15.4 Mechanisms of Cyclic Fatigue of Ceramics. 15.5 Cyclic Fatigue by Degradation of Crack Bridges. 15.6 Short-Crack Fatigue of Ceramics. 15.7 Implications of Cyclic Fatigue in Design of Ceramics. Problems. 16 Thermal Stress and Thermal Shock in Ceramics. 16.1 Introduction. 16.2 Magnitude of Thermal Stresses. 16.3 Figure of Merit for Various Thermal Stress Conditions. 16.4 Crack Propagation under Thermal Stress. Problems. 17 Fractography. 17.1 Introduction. 17.2 Qualitative Features of Fracture Surfaces. 17.3 Quantitative Fractography. 17.4 Fractal Concepts in Fractography. 17.5 Fractography of Single Crystals and Polycrystals. Problems. 18 Dislocations and Plastic Deformation in Ductile Crystals. 18.1 Introduction. 18.2 Definition of Dislocations. 18.3 Glide and Climb of Dislocations. 18.4 Force on a Dislocation. 18.5 Stress Field and Energy of a Dislocation. 18.6 Force Required to Move a Dislocation. 18.7 Line Tension of a Dislocation. 18.8 Dislocation Multiplication. 18.9 Forces between Dislocations. 18.10 Dislocation Pileups. 18.11 Orowan's Equation for Strain Rate. 18.12 Dislocation Velocity. 18.13 Hardening by Solid Solution and Precipitation. 18.14 Slip Systems. 18.15 Partial Dislocations. 18.16 Deformation Twinning. Problems. 19 Dislocations and Plastic Deformation in Ceramics. 19.1 Introduction. 19.2 Slip Systems in Ceramics. 19.3 Independent Slip Systems. 19.4 Plastic Deformation in Single-Crystal Alumina. 19.5 Twinning in Aluminum Oxide. 19.6 Plastic Deformation of Single-Crystal Magnesium Oxide. 19.7 Plastic Deformation of Single-Crystal Cubic Zirconia. Problems. 20 Creep in Ceramics. 20.1 Introduction. 20.2 Nabarro-Herring Creep. 20.3 Combined Diffusional Creep Mechanisms. 20.4 Power Law Creep. 20.5 Combined Diffusional and Power Law Creep. 20.6 Role of Grain Boundaries in High-Temperature Deformation and Failure. 20.7 Damage-Enhanced Creep. 20.8 Superplasticity. 20.9 Deformation Mechanism Maps. Problems. 21 Creep Rupture at High Temperatures and Safe Life Design. 21.1 Introduction. 21.2 General Process of Creep Damage and Failure in Ceramics. 21.3 Monkman-Grant Technique of Life Prediction. 21.4 Two-Stage Strain Projection Technique. 21.5 Fracture Mechanism Maps. Problems. 22 Hardness and Wear. 22.1 Introduction. 22.2 Spherical Indenters versus Sharp Indenters. 22.3 Methods of Hardness Measurement. 22.4 Deformation around Indentation. 22.5 Cracking around Indentation. 22.6 Indentation Size Effect. 22.7 Wear Resistance. Problems. 23 Mechanical Properties of Glass and Glass Ceramics. 23.1 Introduction. 23.2 Typical Inorganic Glasses. 23.3 Viscosity of Glass. 23.4 Elasticity of Inorganic Glasses. 23.5 Strength and Fracture Surface Energy of Inorganic Glasses. 23.6 Achieving High Strength in Bulk Glasses. 23.7 Glass Ceramics. Problems. 24 Mechanical Properties of Polycrystalline Ceramics in General and Design Considerations. 24.1 Introduction. 24.2 Mechanical Properties of Polycrystalline Ceramics in General. 24.3 Design Involving Mechanical Properties. References. Index.