Size-Dependent Fracture of TiB2 Particles in a Steel Matrix Composite During Nanoindentation Investigation

Abstract

The present work investigates the fracture behavior of the individual TiB2 particles in a steel matrix composite using the nanoindentation technique. The half-penny/radial cracks are generated in the small TiB2 particles while they are absent at the large TiB2 particles interior. The size-dependent fracture behavior of the TiB2 particles is related to the change of the maximum principal tensile stress beneath the indenter, which is substantiated by the finite element analysis.