In Situ Observation of Fatigue Crack Growth and 90º Domain Switching for BaTiO₃ Ferroelectric Single Crystal under Cyclic Electric Loading

In-situ observation of the fatigue crack growth and 90o domain switching was carried out for BaTiO3 ferroelectric single crystals under alternating electric field. It is shown that during the electric cycling, the crack propagates continuously. Parallel lines of 90o domain boundaries can be seen and they flip at each reversal of the alternating electric field. The width of the 90o domain switching zone grows with the number of cycles and its frontal always lies ahead of the crack tip. It is suggested that the cyclic stress field induced by the repeated 90o domain switching at the crack tip, as well as the stress field caused by the electrically activated material between the electrode and the material under the electrodes contribute to the observed fatigue crack growth.