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Virginia Tech

Finite Element Analysis of Probe Induced Delamination of a Thin Film at an Edge Interface

Abstract

dc:description.abstract

Energy release rates are extracted from non-linear finite element analyses of a thin film bonded to a rigid substrate that is shaft-loaded at its free edge. This geometry is of interest because it simulates a probe test that has proven to be useful in characterizing the adhesion of thin, microelectronic coatings bonded to silicon wafers. Preliminary experimental results indicate that out-of-plane rather than in-plane loading dominates failure in the system. This work therefore focuses on out-of-plane film loading. To validate finite element and energy release rate methodologies, energy release rates from finite element analyses of pressurized and shaft-loaded blister tests are first correlated to theoretical limit cases. Upon validation, mode I, mode II, and mode III energy release rates are extracted from three-dimensional continuum finite element models of the edge-loaded thin film by a three-dimensional modified crack closure method. Having assumed a circular debond as observed experimentally, energy release rates are determined by a step-wise approach around the circumference. The progression of debond is simulated in multiple analyses by altering the boundary conditions associated with increasing the debond radius. Mechanical loading is supplemented with thermal loading, introducing residual stresses in the non-linear analyses. A sensitivity analysis of energy release rates to residual stress is performed. The results indicate that inclusion of residual stress has an important role in both the magnitude and mode-mixity of energy release rates in the thin film. Increasing the length of debond effectively transitions the film from a shearing mode to a bending mode, thereby significantly impacting each mode of energy release rate differently.

Degree

thesis:*
Name thesis:degree_name
Master of Science
Level thesis:degree_level
masters
Discipline thesis:degree_discipline
Mechanical Engineering
Department dc:contributor.department
Mechanical Engineering
Grantor dc:publisher
Virginia Tech
Year dc:date.issued
2002

Author and committee

dc:creator, dc:contributor.*
Author dc:creator
  • Mount, Kristopher Patrick
Chair dc:contributor.committeechair
  • West, Robert L. Jr.
Committee members dc:contributor.committeemember
  • Dillard, David A.
  • Wan, Kai-tak

Subjects

dc:subject × 4

Rights

dc:rights
Statement dc:rights
  • In Copyright

Identifiers

dc:identifier.*
Dc Identifier Other
etd-01212003-110239
OAI identifier oai:identifier
oai:vtechworks.lib.vt.edu:10919/31014

Chain of custody

source
Harvested from
Virginia Tech
Base URL
vtechworks.lib.vt.edu/oai/request
Last updated
2026-07-22
Source record
OAI-PMH GetRecord
citation

Mount, Kristopher Patrick. Finite Element Analysis of Probe Induced Delamination of a Thin Film at an Edge Interface. masters thesis, Virginia Tech, 2002. http://hdl.handle.net/10919/31014