Contact-Induced Damage in Ceramic Coatings on Compliant Substrates: Fracture Mechanics and Design

Published

May 1, 2001

Author(s)

Y W. Rhee, H W. Kim, Y N. Deng, Brian R. Lawn

Abstract

Simple explicit relations are presented for the onset of competing fracture modes in ceramic coatings on compliant substrates from Hertzian-like contacts. Special attention is given to a deleterious mode of radial cracking that initiates at the lower coating surface beneath the contact, in addition to traditional cone cracking and quasiplasticity in the near-contact area. The critical load relations are expressed in terms of well-documented material parameters-elastic modulus, toughness and hardness; and geometrical parameters (coating thickness and sphere radius). Data from selected glass, Al₂O₃ and ZrO₂ coating materials on polycarbonate substrates are used to demonstrate the validity of the relations. The formulation provides a basis for designing ceramic coatings with optimum damage resistance.

Citation

Journal of the American Ceramic Society

Volume

84

Issue

No. 5

Pub Type

Journals

Keywords

brittle coatings, cone crack, elastic modulus, hardness, Hertzian contact, quasiplasticity, radial cracking, strength, toughness

Citation

Rhee, Y. , Kim, H. , Deng, Y. and Lawn, B. (2001), Contact-Induced Damage in Ceramic Coatings on Compliant Substrates: Fracture Mechanics and Design, Journal of the American Ceramic Society (Accessed October 27, 2025)