Delayed fracture of porous ceramics under shock-wave compression

Abstract The main challenge of ceramics in the applications upon shock-wave loading is their functional failure due to crack network extension. A lattice-spring model was employed to explore strategy for modulating and delaying the crack network. It reveals that numerous shear cracks nucleate around collapsing voids. Then, they compose a crack network during extending and interlacing. Propagation velocity of the meso-scale crack network is controlled directly by a macroscopic inelastic deformation wave, which evolves synchronously with void collapse process. Hence, it is practicable to delay the crack network via micro-voids modulation, to improve robustness and lifetime of the shocked ceramics.