Development of Femtosecond Laser Based Microscale Fracture Methods

Growing interest in characterizing the fracture response in non-bulk systems, such as second phase precipitates or microscale structural materials, necessitates the development of accurate fracture methodologies at relevant length scales. Here, femtosecond laser based micromachining is employed to fabricate microscale fracture specimens. Femtosecond laser machining enables rapid production of fractures specimens with sharp initial notches. Fracture tests are subsequently performed in a custom micromechanical testing apparatus. Initially, the femtosecond laser based fracture methodology is applied to fused quartz to validate the accuracy of the measurements. Further measurements are made on polycrystalline silicon carbide to demonstrate the broader applicability to higher fracture toughness materials.