Fracture of a circular inclusion in an infinite matrix

The plastic relaxation of a shear crack situated at the interface inside a second phase of circular cross-section is analyzed. The ratio of applied stress to yield stress and the relative displacement of crack faces at the tip of the crack are related to the crack length, width of the plastic zone and the size of the second phase particle. The results are used to discuss the effect of shear modulus of the matrix on the behavior of the plastic zone at the tip of the crack in the second phase. Conclusions on the fracture behavior of a circular second phase particle in an infinite matrix are made. © 1975.