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Published online by Cambridge University Press: 05 May 2011
A theory is proposed to derive the resultant elastic potential energy change in the systems accompanying phase transformation for a finite concentration of inclusions. Based on the thermodynamic equilibrium, this elastic potential energy due to the interaction of ellipsoidal inclusions is employed to evaluate the critically applied stress that induces phase transformation. It is shown that the material system with the disc inclusions is easier to get the stress-induced transformation than that with other shapes. The inclusions with 3-D random orientation are the most effective one to have toughness increments. The height of the transformation zone strongly depends on the volume concentration and the shape of the inclusions. As compared with the experimental data, the theory is in an acceptable range of accuracy.