Fracture analysis of functionally graded coatings: antiplane deformation

A new model for approximate analysis of a functionally graded coating with arbitrary variation of properties has been developed. In this model, the coating is divided into several sublayers. In each sublayer the material properties vary in a linear manner along the thickness direction and the material properties are continuous at each subinterface. With this new model, the crack problem of a functionally graded coating bonded to a homogeneous half-plane under static antiplane shearing load is investigated. By using transfer matrix method and Fourier integral transform technique, the problem is reduced to the solution of a Cauchy singular integral equation. Stress intensity factors are calculated. Comparisons are made between the present model and other models. The results show some advantages of the present model.