Constitutive modelling of rate-dependent domain switching effects in ferroelectric and ferroelastic materials

Abstract

In this contribution, a micro-mechanically motivated constitutive model for rate-dependent domain switching effects is studied. The main focus consists in the development of a three-dimensional finite element framework capturing phase-transformations, whereby for the sake of simplicity each finite element will represent one individual grain. For the investigation of phase-transitions, the onset of so-called domain switching processes is initiated by means of an energybased criterion. During such switching processes, nucleation and propagation of domain wall motion is incorporated via a straightforward volume fraction concept combined with a simple linear kinetics theory. Moreover, grain boundary effects are accounted for, whereby a macro-mechanically motivated probabilistic approach has been chosen. Based on the proposed formulation, representative simulations are elaborated which provide further insight into the highly nonlinear behaviour of ferroelectric and ferroelastic materials.

Two models to simulate rate-dependent domain switching effects—application to ferroelastic polycrystalline ceramics

“…Within the present work, special emphasis is placed on a three-dimensional coupled finite-element model-extending previous elaboration reported in [30,31], by incorporating switching-induced changes in material properties. To give an example, the elasticity tensor in a particular domain of interest will depend on the local polarization direction.…”