The coating cracking on a substrate system was analyzed using a fracture mechanics approach. Multiple cracking in the bending configuration was analyzed using a variational mechanics approach to fracture mechanics of coating/substrate system. The strain energy release rate on bending geometry developed permits the prediction of crack growth in the coating layer on a substrate. Also, it can be used appropriately to the characterization of multiple cracking of coating. The obtained critical strain energy release rate (in-situ fracture toughness) will be a material property of coating and it will provide a better insight into coating cracking.

The coating cracking on a substrate system was analyzed using a fracture mechanics approach. Multiple cracking in the bending configuration was analyzed using a variational mechanics approach to fracture mechanics of coating/substrate system. The strain energy release rate on bending geometry developed permits the prediction of crack growth in the coating layer on a substrate. Also, it can be used appropriately to the characterization of multiple cracking of coating. The obtained critical strain energy release rate (in-situ fracture toughness) will be a material property of coating and it will provide a better insight into coating cracking.