On the Surface Stability of a Spherical Void Embedded in a Stressed Matrix

Abstract

The linear stability analysis of the shape of a spherical cavity embedded in an infinite-size matrix under stress has been performed when infinitesimal perturbation from sphericity of the rod is assumed to appear by surface diffusion. Developing the perturbation on a basis of complete spherical harmonics, the growth rate of each harmonic Ylm(θ,φ) has been determined and the conditions for the development of the different fluctuations have been discussed as a function of the applied stress and the order l of the perturbation.