Phase field fracture modelling of flexible piezoelectric materials considering different electrical boundary conditions

Abstract

Abstract Flexible piezoelectric materials have gained considerable attention due to their remarkable properties, including electromechanical coupling and high stretchability. These materials have found extensive applications in the field of flexible electronic devices. However, the issue of fracture in flexible piezoelectrics cannot be ignored. In general, these flexible/stretchable materials experience fractures when subjected to significant deformation. While previous studies have primarily focused on fracture problems of brittle piezoelectric materials with low failure strain. There is a need to investigate the fracture behavior of flexible piezoelectrics with finite deformation. Within the framework of the phase field method, this work addresses the fracture of flexible piezoelectrics utilizing a nonlinear electromechanical material model. To solve the coupled governing equations, a residual controlled staggered algorithm (RCSA) is employed in the user element subroutine of commercial software ABAQUS. By utilizing the phase field method and a nonlinear electromechanical material model, this study provides insights into the fracture mechanisms and the effects of various factors on the fracture behavior of these materials. Specifically, the effects of external electric fields, displacements, and various electrical boundary conditions across the crack are investigated. This research contributes to a better understanding of flexible piezoelectric materials and can aid in the development of strategies to enhance their fracture resistance and durability in practical applications.