Cavity formation at the interface of a spherical inclusion in a plastically deformed matrix

A new theory for cavitation at the interface of a spherical inclusion in a plastically deformed matrix under uniaxial tensile stress is proposed. It is based on the energy calculation in and around the inclusion following Eshelby's transformation problem. It is shown that there is a size below which the fracture strain is inversely proportional to the square root of the particle size. There is also a size above which the applied stress causes cavitation without plastic strain.