Dislocation structures associated with advancing cracks in gallium arsenide and magnesium oxide

The purpose of this research was to determine which dislocation mechanisms were the most important in the fracture processes of semi-brittle materials. In situ TEM deformation experiments were conducted to observe the dislocation structures ahead of propagating cracks in GaAs and MgO. Images of the dislocation structures and arrangements were recorded, both photographically and on video tape, analyzed, and compared to the structures predicted by existing theories. Qualitative knowledge about the role of dislocations in the fracture process was obtained and several new aspects of the behavior of dislocations near the crack were identified. Dislocation structures observed ahead of and in the (011) planes of arrested cracks in GaAs were either the remains of a shear type opening mechanism for the crack, or were emitted from the crack tip as it arrested. The evidence of slip activity and unreacted dislocations ahead of the network structure, and the direct observation of their glide on (011) planes, supported a hypothesis that they are not generated entirely by a crack healing mechanism. These dislocations were later absorbed into the propagating crack, and provided energy for accelerating the propagation rate. The absorbed dislocations were repelled by the crack tip stress field, but their velocity was less than the crack propagation rate. For the case of MgO, dislocations were rapidly nucleated from the crack, but were impeded in their outward motion by interactions with defects and other dislocations. TEM foils of MgO with (001) orientation exhibited considerable ductility whereas (011) foils fractured easily. The active slip planes and dislocation structures in the (001) foils shielded the crack from mode I stresses. The emitted dislocations in (011) foils provided mixed mode shielding which did not sufficiently inhibit crack propagation.

Name thesis:degree_name

Ph.D.

Level thesis:degree_level

Dissertation

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Materials Engineering

Grantor

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Year dc:date

2011

Author dc:creator

• Dewald, Dale Keith

Contributors dc:contributor

• Birnbaum, Howard K.

• Engineering, Metallurgy
• Engineering, Materials Science

Statement dc:rights

• Copyright 1991 Dewald, Dale Keith

Language dc:language

eng

Identifier

AAI9124405
(UMI)AAI9124405

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:www.ideals.illinois.edu:2142/20896