Nonuniform ferroelastic domain switching driven by two-parameter crack tip stress field

This paper addresses a nonuniform ferroelastic domain switching model driven by two-parameter crack tip stress field. The model is applied to analyze the effect of transverse stress (T-stress) on switching zone geometry and switch induced toughening. It is concluded that: (1) The sign and magnitude of T-stress influence switching zone size but not its shape. (2) Tensile T-stress decreases switch toughening, while compressive T-stress increases it. As an example, the analytical result of switch toughening is used to interpret the test dependency of R-curve. Predictions are in agreement with experimental results of two types of tests of ferroelectrics.