Crack extension in piezoelectric materials

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Abstract

Closed form solutions for all three modes of fracture for an infinite piezoelectric medium containing a center crack and is subjected to a combined mechanical and electrical loading were obtained using the Stroh formalism. The strain energy release rate was derived and implication to fracture behavior was discussed. Mode I fracture experiments were conducted using compact tension specimens of PZT-4 piezoelectric ceramic. The results indicate that the use of the strain energy release rate as fracture criterion can accurately account for effects of the electric field on the apparent fracture toughness of the material.