Investigation of the domain switching zone near a crack tip in pre-poled lead zirconate titanate ceramic via in situ X-ray diffraction

The domain orientation distributions around the loaded crack tip in a poled piezoelectric ceramic were measured in situ by using a high-energy synchrotron X-ray source. The results show the dynamic domain switching behavior around the switching zone. The relationship between the stress intensity factor and switching zone is revealed. During mechanical loading, the domain switching zone significantly enlarges with an increase in the stress intensity factor. Moreover, the mechanical depoling effect generated by the stress around the crack tip is detected.