Effect of interface stress on the fracture behavior of a nanoscale linear inclusion along the interface of bimaterials

This paper investigates the influence of residual interface tension on the fracture behavior of a nanoscale linear interface inclusion in a bimaterial matrix. Solutions to the inclusion opening displacement and the energy release rate are obtained. The results show that the interface effect on the inclusion deformation and inclusion tip field are prominent at nanoscale. Especially, the residual interface stress has a dramatic influence on the energy release rate. It is also found that the importance of the interface effect depends on the size of the inclusion, the shear modulus ratios of the bimaterial. The inclusion opening displacement and the energy release rate can be reduced considerably by decreasing the inclusion length at nanoscale.