Influence of the electric field on Vickers indentation crack growth in BaTiO3

In this study, the Vickers indentation method was used to determine the cra ck growth of ferroelectric barium titanate (BaTiO3) ceramic tinder the infl uence of electric fields. It was verified that an applied electric field in duces distinct anisotropic crack growth parallel and perpendicular to the p oling direction which is mainly, interpreted as an anisotropy in fracture t oughness. The curve of the measured crack lengths as a function of the appl ied electric field shows similarity with the strain hysteresis. Curves of c racks parallel and perpendicular to the electric field direction are symmet ric to each other. Stress-induced ferroelastic domain switching is used to explain the observed a crack lengths anisotropy and change in fracture toug hness. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science Limited. All rights reserved.