Micromechanics of fracture in a ceramic/metal composite studied by in situ fluorescence spectroscopy II: fracture mechanics analysis

Fluorescence microprobe spectroscopy was used in [1] to determine in situ microstress fields that develop during fracture in a model ceramic/metal composite. In particular, experimental and theoretical procedures were described in order to relate the experimental peakshift to the various stress components and combinations thereof. Based on suitable micromechanical concepts, these stress maps are now used to predict quantities related to the fracture mechanics, such as (critical) stress intensity factors, R-curves, and crack-opening displacements. All predictions are compared with direct measurements of these quantities to demonstrate the feasibility and soundness of the micromechanics approach.