Experimental and simulation study on quasi-static and dynamic fracture toughness of 2A12-T4 aluminum alloy using CTS specimen

Abstract

Based on the study of dynamic fracture toughness of mixed mode I/II fracture crack, using compact tensile shear (CTS) specimen and the method of split Hopkinson tensile bar (SHTB) combined with special fixture, which complete the experiments of complex fracture modes of 2A12-T4 aluminum alloy material under quasi-static and dynamic tensile tests. By combining the results of finite element simulation with experimental–numerical method, the feasibility of Richard’s theory formula in dynamic fracture experiment is discussed. The variation law of fracture toughness under quasi-static and dynamic complex fracture under mixed-mode was analyzed by finite element simulation and experiment. The results show that, in the process of quasi-static and dynamic fracture, the fracture toughness of CTS specimen under mixed mode I/II crack loading is the highest. The conclusion is proved by Richard theorical formula and experimental–numerical methods jointly. When the specimen is subjected to pure mode I fracture, the quasi-static fracture toughness is consistent with that is in condition of dynamic experiment. However, when the specimen is subjected to mode II and mixed mode I/II fracture, the dynamic fracture toughness changes greatly compared with the quasi-static fracture toughness. In addition, in the dynamic fracture experiment, the dynamic fracture toughness of mixed mode I/II depends on the initiation time, and the quasi-static fracture criterion is no longer applicable.