Extended finite element modeling of crack propagation in ceramic tool materials by considering the microstructural features

A microstructure model is established to study failure of ceramic materials. The model is based on the Voronoi Tessellation in which random functions are employed to take into account the secondary phase volume fraction, the grain centroid distribution, the grain diameter distribution, and the grain boundary volume distribution of the materials. Extended Finite Element Method (X-FEM) is utilized to simulate the crack propagation considering the influence of microstructure of ceramic, which can obtain high accuracy without the need for re-meshing compared with the standard finite element method. The influences of grain diameter, secondary phase volume fraction and grain boundary volume fraction on the fracture toughness of ceramic materials have been systematic studied. The results presented in this article are useful to improve toughness and failure resistance of ceramic materials.