Published online by Cambridge University Press: 15 February 2011
The mechanism of low macroscopic-plastic-strain, ductile fractures under various high triaxial stresses in constrained thin silver films was investigated. Particular emphasis was placed on investigating ductile fracture by unstable cavity growth. The various multi-axial loads to failure were experimentally measured. FEA analysis was used to determine the corresponding high triaxial stress-states within the interlayer, also considering cavity-cavity interaction, residual stresses and elastic incompatibility stresses across interfaces. These were compared to the stresses required for cavity instability. Ductile fracture under high triaxial stresses, associated with low macroscopic strains, appears to be explained by unstable cavity growth, where cavity growth may occur without large macroscopic (e.g., < 0.05) plastic strains.