English

Fast crack propagation by surface diffusion

Materials Science 2009-11-07 v1

Abstract

We present a continuum theory which describes the fast growth of a crack by surface diffusion. This mechanism overcomes the usual cusp singularity by a self-consistent selection of the crack tip radius. It predicts the saturation of the steady state crack velocity appreciably below the Rayleigh speed and tip blunting. Furthermore, it includes the possibility of a tip splitting instability for high applied tensions.

Keywords

Cite

@article{arxiv.cond-mat/0204056,
  title  = {Fast crack propagation by surface diffusion},
  author = {Efim A. Brener and Robert Spatschek},
  journal= {arXiv preprint arXiv:cond-mat/0204056},
  year   = {2009}
}