crack tip plasticity

Crack tip plasticity refers to the localized deformation that occurs around the tip of a crack in a material. When a material is under stress, the area near the crack tip experiences intense forces. Instead of breaking immediately, the material can deform plastically—meaning it changes shape permanently—by the movement of its internal particles. This plastic deformation around the crack tip helps to blunt and slow the crack’s growth, temporarily resisting fracture. Understanding this process is important for predicting material failure and improving the design of more durable materials.