The crack healing process is studied theoretically on the basis of the extended the Thomson-Obreimoff model. The system free-energy F as a function of the crack length l and temperature T is calculated using the self-consistent Einstein model. It is f...
The crack healing process is studied theoretically on the basis of the extended the Thomson-Obreimoff model. The system free-energy F as a function of the crack length l and temperature T is calculated using the self-consistent Einstein model. It is found that with the temperature increase, the energy barrier becomes lower and even disappears at the $quot;healing$quot; temperature T=T_h. It is demonstrated that the crack-lattice trapping in the Obreimoff model is controlled by the free-energy barrier height OF(T). The latter exhibits the universal power-law behavior. On the basis of the results obtained, the crack healing time is evaluated.