INTERFACIAL CRACK-GROWTH IN THERMOMECHANICALLY LOADED BIMATERIAL JOINTS

This paper considers quasi-static and dynamic propagation of straight and curvilinear interface cracks in brittle bimaterials subjected to m echanical crack surface loads and/or superimposed thermal strains acti ng along the ligament. Explicit stress intensity vector formulae are i ntroduced and discussed in view of interface mechanics features: appli ed loading, interface, crack-tip velocity and curvature of the interfa ce. In addition, the role of a bulk interphase layer between the adher ent bimaterial components is addressed by assessing numerically calcul ated mixed-mode energy release rates. Finally, crack kinking out of th e bulk interlayer (interphase) and the prospective kinking angle are i nvestigated.