Abstract
The objective of the present work is to investigate the interaction between interfaces and cracks in metal/alumina bi-materials. The behaviour is analyzed by the determination of the J integral and the plastic zone at the crack tip using the finite-element methods. Different orientations of the crack according to the bi-materials interface were examined such as cracks parallel and perpendicular to the interface and inclined cracks. The effects of the mechanical properties of the joint materials, the crack length and the metal thickness on the extent of plastic zone and the J integral at the crack tip were also highlighted. The obtained results allow us to deduce mathematical relations giving the variation of the J integral and the plastic zone according to the crack position.