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Dislocation-based crack initiation and propagation in single-crystal SrTiO3

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Abstract

Understanding the irreversible deformation (dislocation activation and crack formation) of functional oxides, based on which various advanced electronic devices are fabricated, is critical for the optimal structural design and mechanical reliability. Here, we demonstrate the dislocation-based crack initiation and propagation in a model perovskite, single-crystal SrTiO3, at small scale. Using nanoindentation tests with spherical tips and etch pit study, we identify the sequence of the irreversible deformation events occurred in single-crystal (001) SrTiO3. For a locally stressed volume that is free of pre-existing cracks, the material undergoes the following processes: (1) purely elastic deformation; (2) dislocation activation on primary slip planes that are 45° inclined to the surface; (3) dislocation activation on secondary slip planes perpendicular to the surface; (4) crack initiation by dislocation pile-up; followed by (5) concurrent crack propagation and dislocation multiplication and motion at higher loads. Specifically, we focus on the crack formation caused by the dislocation pile-up beneath the spherical indenter. We also identify the favorable crack propagation planes to be {110} when the (001) surface is indented. These findings in cubic SrTiO3 are believed to be applicable for other ceramic materials with cubic structure.

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Acknowledgements

X. Fang gratefully acknowledges the financial support of Athene Young Investigator Programme (TU Darmstadt) and the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG, No. 414179371). K. Ding thanks the DFG for financial support (FA 1662/1-1). K. Durst thanks the DFG for financial support (DU 424/11-1). A. Nakamura acknowledges the financial support of JST PRESTO Grant Number JPMJPR199A and JSPS KAKENHI Grant Numbers JP19H05786, JP17H06094 and JP18H03840, Japan. We thank Prof. J. Rödel for the helpful discussion and comments. The helpful comments from the anonymous reviewers are also gratefully acknowledged.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Materials and Earth Sciences, Technical University of Darmstadt, 64287, Darmstadt, Germany

    Xufei Fang, Kuan Ding, Christian Minnert & Karsten Durst

  2. Department of Materials Physics, Nagoya University, Furo-cho, Chikusa-ku, Nagoya, 464-8603, Japan

    Atsutomo Nakamura

  3. PRESTO, Japan Science and Technology Agency (JST), 7, Gobancho, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo, 102-0076, Japan

    Atsutomo Nakamura

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  1. Xufei Fang
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Fang, X., Ding, K., Minnert, C. et al. Dislocation-based crack initiation and propagation in single-crystal SrTiO3. J Mater Sci 56, 5479–5492 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10853-020-05587-2

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