Influence of notch radius on the fracture load of piezoelectric ceramics

The influence of root radius of notch applied fracture load on piezoelectric ceramics under various conditions of electric fields was studied using the three-point bending test. And the linear finite element analysis associated with energy density of crack as a feasible parameter of fracture was performed with piezoelectricity. It was found that the fracture load is decreased according to reduction of the curvature radius of notch but the finite element analysis showed reverse result, the fracture load in case of the crack is increased. The energy density of crack as the governing fracture parameter was finally introduced and discussed.