Phase structural ordering kinetics of second-phase formation in the vicinity of a crack

The formation of a second phase in presence of a crack in a crystalline material is modelled and studied for different prevailing conditions in order to predict and a posteriori prevent failure, e.g. by delayed hydride cracking. To this end, the phase field formulation of Ginzburg–Landau is selected to describe the phase transformation, and simulations using the finite volume method are performed for a wide range of material properties. A sixth order Landau potential for a single structural order parameter is adopted because it allows the modeling of both first and second order transitions and its corresponding phase diagram can be outlined analytically. The elastic stress field induced by the crack is found to cause a space-dependent shift in the transition temperature, which promotes a second-phase precipitation in vicinity of the crack tip. The spatio-temporal evolution during nucleation and growth is successfully monitored for different combinations of material properties and applied loads. Results for the second-phase shape and size evolution are presented and discussed for a number of selected characteristic cases. The numerical results at steady state are compared to mean-field equilibrium solutions and a good agreement is achieved. For materials applicable to the model, the results can be used to predict the evolution of an eventual second-phase formation through a dimensionless phase transformation in the crack-tip vicinity for given conditions.