CRACK PATH IN SINGLE-CRYSTALS

A two-dimisnsional analysis of crack propagation in anisotropic single crystal has revealed that the cleavage path depends on the shape of the γ-plot. Consequently, for a given notch plane the fracture path has been predicted to depend on the notch front orientation. The results of this study suggest that the fracture path depends not only on the level of resistance to fracture but also on the change of fracture energy with orientation. Furthermore, when a crack kinks into a minimum energy plane, it does not necessarily exhibit a lower fracture toughness than the case where crack follows a higher energy plane. © 1995.