Open Access

Durch ein thermodynamisch konsistentes Phasenfeldmodell kann die Rißinitiierung sowie das Rißwachstum in einem spröden Material mit Hilfe der Finite-Elemente-Methode simuliert werden. Ein diskreter scharfer Riß wird durch einen Regularisierungsansatz in ein Phasenfeld überführt, das einen kontinuierlichen Übergang zwischen Riß und Restmaterial abbildet. Modelle von C(T) - Bruchmechanikproben konnten unter monoton wachsender Belastung simuliert werden. Die Ergebnisse konnten mit analytischen Ergebnissen der linear-elastischen Bruchmechanik verglichen werden. Ablenkungen des Rißpfades konnten durch Modelle von gelochten Proben simuliert werden. An dem Modell eines Dreipunktbiegeversuchs konnte die Rißinitiierung demonstriert werden. Die Kenntnis und Modellierung eines vordefinierten Rißpfades ist bei Verwendung dieses Modells nicht erforderlich, was insbesondere zur Untersuchung von komplexen Rißpfaden von Vorteil sein kann.

Environmentally-assisted material degradation involves mass transport and mechanical processes interacting in the material. A well-known example is hydrogen-induced stress-corrosion cracking. One major challenge within this scope is the quantification of the coupling mechanisms in question. The computational modeling of environmentally-assisted cracks is the key objective of this investigation and realised within the theory of gradient-extended dissipative continua with lengthscales. The modeling of sharp crack discontinuities is replaced by a diffusive crack model based on the introduction of a crack phase-field to maintain the evolution of complex crack topologies. Within a thermodynamical framework allowing for mechanical and mass transport processes the crack phasefield is capable to model crack initiation and propagation by the finite element method. As complex crack situations such as crack initiation, curvilinear crack patterns and crack branching are usually hard to realise with sharp crack models, they can be assessed without the requirement of a predefined crack path within this method. The numerical modeling of a showcase demonstrates a crack initiation as well as a crack propagation situation with respect to the determination of stress-intensity factors; a crack deviation situation with a curvilinear crack path is modeled by the introduction of a geometrical perturbation and a locally enhanced species concentration.

With the introduction of a mass transport mechanism the entire problem is subjected to a time frame that dictates the time-dependent action of soluted species on mechanical properties. A numerical framework within the phase-field approach is presented with an embrittlement-based coupling mechanism. The underlying functionals are expressed in terms of the displacement, mass concentration and crack phase-field. Within the phase-field approach the modelling of sharp crack discontinuities is replaced by a diffusive crack model facilitating crack initiation and complex crack topologies without the requirement of a predefined crack path. The isotropic hardening of the elasto-plastic deformation model and the local fracture criterion are affected by the species concentration. This allows for embrittlement and leads to an accelerated crack propagation. An extended mass transport equation for hydrogen embrittlement, accounting for mechanical stresses and deformations, is implemented. For stabilisation purposes a staggered scheme is applied to solve the system of partial differential equations by a multi-field finite-element method. A thermodynamically consistent coupling relation that accommodates the required mechanisms is presented.

Environmentally-assisted material degradation involves mass transport and mechanical processes interacting in the material. A well-known example is hydrogen-induced stress-corrosion cracking. One major challenge within this scope is the quantification of the coupling mechanisms in question. The computational modeling of environmentally-assisted cracks is the key objective of this investigation and realised within the theory of gradient-extended dissipative continua with lengthscales. The modeling of sharp crack discontinuities is replaced by a diffusive crack model based on the introduction of a crack phase-field to maintain the evolution of complex crack topologies. Within a thermodynamical framework allowing for mechanical and mass transport processes the crack phasefield is capable to model crack initiation and propagation by the finite element method. As complex crack situations such as crack initiation, curvilinear crack patterns and crack branching are usually hard to realise with sharp crack models, they can be assessed without the requirement of a predefined crack path within this method. The numerical modeling of a showcase demonstrates a crack initiation as well as a crack propagation situation with respect to the determination of stress-intensity factors; a crack deviation situation with a curvilinear crack path is modeled by the introduction of a geometrical perturbation and a locally enhanced species concentration.

A widespread recovery of waste heat requires a cost‐effective production of thermoelectric generators. Thermoelectric oxides are predestined for use at high temperatures. For manufacturing reasons, a multilayer generator design will be easily scalable and cost‐effective. To evaluate the potential of ceramic multilayer technology for that purpose, a multilayer of the promising thermoelectric oxides calcium cobaltite (Ca3Co4O9), calcium manganate (CMO, CaMnO3), and glass–ceramic insulation layers is fabricated. Cracks and reaction layers at the interfaces are observed in the microstructure. The compositions of these reaction layers are identified by energy‐dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy and X‐ray diffraction. Mechanical and thermal properties of all layers are compiled from literature or determined by purposeful sample preparation and testing. Based on this data set, the internal stresses in the multilayer after co‐firing are calculated numerically. It is shown that tensile stresses in the range of 50 MPa occur in the CMO layers. The reaction layers have only a minor influence on the level of these residual stresses. Herein, it is proven that the material system is basically suitable for multilayer generator production, but that the co‐firing process and the layer structure must be adapted to improve densification and reduce the tensile stresses in the CMO.