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Crack formation in surface layers with strain gradients

  • Alexei E. Romanov , Glenn E. Beltz and James S. Speck
Published/Copyright: May 23, 2013
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International Journal of Materials Research
From the journal International Journal of Materials Research Volume 98 Issue 8

Abstract

The problem of crack formation in surface layers where a linear profile of elastic strain prevails through the thickness of a layer is investigated. Such strain gradients can be generated, for example, in graded alloy semiconductor layers or due to specific stress relaxation mechanisms in lattice mismatched layers or previously unanticipated dislocation-related strain gradients. The operation of the relaxation mechanisms related to threading dislocation inclination and leading to the strain gradients in nominally compressed AlxGa1 – xN layers grown on buffer layers with smaller lattice constants is discussed. A fracture mechanics model is developed for the calculation of the stress intensity factor of mode I cracks initiated at the surface of the layer exhibiting a linear strain dependence. The critical layer thickness for crack formation in such a gradient elastic field has been found in the framework of this fracture mechanics model. Results of the modeling are compared with experimental observations of crack onset in nominally compressed layers of AlxGa1−xN semiconductors. Good agreement between the model predictions and the experimental data is found.

Keywords: Strain gradient; Crack; III-nitrides; Threading dislocation
* Correspondence address, Prof. Dr. Sci. Alexei E. Romanov Ioffe Physico-Technical Institute, Russian Academy of Sciences Polytechnicheskaya 26, Saint Petersburg, R-194021, Russia Tel.: +7 812 292 7304 Fax: +7 812 294 1017 E-mail:

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Received: 2007-3-12
Accepted: 2007-4-27
Published Online: 2013-05-23
Published in Print: 2007-08-01

© 2007, Carl Hanser Verlag, München

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  2. Contents
  3. Editorial
  4. Editorial
  5. Basic
  6. In-situ measurement of local strain partitioning in a commercial dual-phase steel
  7. Threshold strength and residual stress analysis of zirconia–alumina laminates
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  10. Electric-field induced phase transition in a near-surface layer of a PbMg0.33Nb0.67O3-28% PbTiO3 (001) single-crystalline plate
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  15. Theta-like specimens for measuring mechanical properties at the small-scale: effects of non-ideal loading
  16. Indentation response of single-crystalline GaAs in the nano-, micro-, and macroregime
  17. Self-assembly of high-performance multi-tube carbon nanotube field-effect transistors by ac dielectrophoresis
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  19. Review
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  21. Notifications
  22. DGM News
https://doi.org/10.3139/146.101524
Keywords for this article
Strain gradient; Crack; III-nitrides; Threading dislocation

Articles in the same Issue

  1. Contents
  2. Contents
  3. Editorial
  4. Editorial
  5. Basic
  6. In-situ measurement of local strain partitioning in a commercial dual-phase steel
  7. Threshold strength and residual stress analysis of zirconia–alumina laminates
  8. Threshold strength prediction for laminar ceramics from bifurcated crack path simulation
  9. First observation of a hexagonal close packed metastable intermetallic phase between Cu and Al bilayer films
  10. Electric-field induced phase transition in a near-surface layer of a PbMg0.33Nb0.67O3-28% PbTiO3 (001) single-crystalline plate
  11. Modelling the onset of oxide formation on metal surfaces from first principles
  12. Applied
  13. Delamination of stiff islands patterned on stretchable substrates
  14. Crack formation in surface layers with strain gradients
  15. Theta-like specimens for measuring mechanical properties at the small-scale: effects of non-ideal loading
  16. Indentation response of single-crystalline GaAs in the nano-, micro-, and macroregime
  17. Self-assembly of high-performance multi-tube carbon nanotube field-effect transistors by ac dielectrophoresis
  18. Biphasic, but monolithic scaffolds for the therapy of osteochondral defects
  19. Review
  20. Recent advances in piezospectroscopy
  21. Notifications
  22. DGM News
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