Evaluation of Cleavage Fracture Behavior of C14 Fe₂W Laves Phase by First Principle Calculation and Crystal Orientation Analysis

Abstract

Cleavage fracture of C14 Fe₂W Laves phase was investigated using crystal orientation measurement with scanning electron microscopy and first-principles calculations. Trace analysis of the orientations of cleavage planes reveals that cleavage fracture occurred at five types of crystal planes of (0001), {1100}, {1120}, {1101} and {1122}, among which the fracture at (0001) is the most preferable. The first-principle calculations of the surface energy for fracture, Young's modulus, and Poisson's ratio showed that the minimum fracture toughness value of 1.62 MPa·m^1/2 was obtained at (0001). The tendency that the values of calculated fracture toughness become larger with the higher indexed planes is almost the same as the frequency of the types of cleavage planes in the trace analysis. It is concluded that the fracture toughness of C14 Fe₂W Laves phase is controlled by the surface energy for fracture and Young’s modulus.