Phase field simulations on domain switching-induced toughening or weakening in multiferroic composites. (1st December 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Wang, Yu; Liu, Chang; Yu, Hongjun; Wang, Jie
• Is Part Of: International journal of solids and structures. Volume 178/179(2019)
• Page Start: 48
• Page End: 58
• Publication Date: 2019-12-01
• Subjects: Phase field model -- Multiferroic materials -- Cracks -- Stress intensity factors; Mechanics, Applied -- Periodicals; Structural analysis (Engineering) -- Periodicals; Elastic solids -- Periodicals; Mécanique appliquée -- Périodiques; Constructions, Théorie des -- Périodiques; Solides élastiques -- Périodiques; Elastic solids; Mechanics, Applied; Structural analysis (Engineering); Periodicals; 624.18
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ijsolstr.2019.06.019
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0020-7683

Abstract

Abstract: The unique electro-magneto-elastic coupling effect in multiferroic materials provides a potential application in actuators, sensors and memory devices. Upon applying mechanical loads, a concentrated stress may appear near the voids or cracks in multiferroic materials, which could induce the switching of polarizations and magnetizations (also called domain-switching). In this work, a phase field model is employed to investigate the domain switching-induced toughening or weakening in ferromagnetic/ferroelectric composites subjected to mechanical loads. It is found that the influence of domain-switching on the stress intensity factors (SIFs) is dependent on the crack positions and the forms of mechanical load. When a stress load is applied to the specimen with an edge crack, the SIFs increase and result in weakening in the multiferroics. However, for the specimens with a central crack or with a displacement load, the SIFs are decreased by domain-switching, resulting in toughening in the multiferroics. The present study provides a microstructural explanation on the complicated nonlinear fracture behaviors of multiferroic composite materials.