UO₂ micron scale specimen fracture: Parameter identification and influence of porosities

Bending of micron-scale cantilevers with or without initial notch is simulated by finite element and their fracture is assessed using either the coupled criterion or a cohesive zone model. The fracture toughness and strength of UO2 single grain specimens with several crystal orientations are determined by means of inverse identification based on experimental tests at the micron-scale. Irradiation causes a decrease in fracture toughness from around 10 J/m(2) to around 5 J/m(2), whereas the strength variation remains in the order of magnitude of the measurement uncertainty. Premature fracture may occur in presence of a pore provided it is located close enough to the specimen surface undergoing tension, the resulting failure force decreasing with increasing pore size. A network of small porosities located on the fracture surface induces a decrease in the failure force which magnitude mainly depends on the total surface fraction and on the porosity locations rather than on the porosity size.