Numerical simulations of void growth near a notch tip in ductile single crystals

The objective of this work is to study the growth of a cylindrical void ahead of a notch tip in ductile FCC single crystals under mode I, plane strain, small scale yielding (SSY) conditions. To this end, finite element simulations are performed within crystal plasticity framework neglecting elastic anisotropy. Attention is focussed on the effects of crystal hardening, ratio of void diameter to spacing from the notch and crystal orientation on plastic flow localization in the ligament connecting the notch and the void as well as their growth. The results show strong interaction between shear bands emanating from the notch and angular sectors of single slip forming around the void leading to intense plastic strain development in the ligament. Further, the ductile fracture processes are retarded by increase in hardening of the single crystal and decrease in ratio of void diameter to spacing from the notch. Also, a strong influence of crystal orientation on near-tip void growth and plastic slip band development is observed. Finally, the synergistic, cooperative growth of multiple voids ahead of the notch tip is examined.