Reduction In Fracture Energy Research Articles

Grain-boundary segregation in Al–10%Mg alloys at hot working temperatures

Monte-Carlo simulations are done to determine Mg enrichment at various grain-boundaries of Al–10%Mg alloys at hot working temperatures. The interatomic potentials used in the simulations are developed using the force-matching method. The Mg segregation levels at the grain-boundaries are found to vary from 20% to 40%. The segregation enrichment differences at different grain-boundary sites are explained in terms of atomic size and local hydrostatic stress. The segregation level varies strongly with [110] tilt boundaries from low to high angle while showing minimal variation with [100] twist boundaries. Segregation levels are found to have some correlation with grain-boundary energy. The effect on grain-boundary decohesion due to Mg segregation is found to be a modest (10--35%) reduction in fracture energy compared to the fracture energy in pure Al.

Energy absorption mechanisms during dynamic fracturing of fibre-reinforced composites

Dynamic photoelastic experiments were conducted to study crack propagation in fibrereinforced materials and, in particular, to determine the energy losses occurring during the crack growth and arrest process. This study utilized modified compact tension specimens which were fabricated from polyester matrix and different reinforcing fibres. The effect of the fibre-matrix interface on energy absorbed was also studied. The energy absorbed was partitioned into two parts: that absorbed in the fracture process zone associated with the crack tip, and the energy lost outside this zone. Results show that fibre reinforcement reduces the energy absorbed in the fracture process zone by about 10% for well-bonded and 15% for partly debonded fibres. For the same initial strain energy, this reduction in fracture energy manifests itself in reduced KID and lower crack-jump distance as compared to monolithic specimens. Reinforced specimens are found to retain a higher strain energy after crack arrest. The energy absorbed outside the fracture process zone for monolithic and well-bonded fibres is about 45% of the initial strain energy, while for partly debonded fibres it is about 55%.

Low temperature mechanical properties of quenched and tempered 0·4C–Ni–Cr–Mo steel after controlled rolling

The mechanical properties of a quenched and tempered 0·4C–Ni–Cr–Mo steel after controlled rolling (CRP steel) have been studied over the temperature range 77–293 K with the aim of developing a CRP steel for low temperature ultrahigh strength applications. The results obtained were compared with those of a conventional quenched and tempered 0·4C–Ni–Cr–Mo steel (CHT steel). The CRP process was found to improve greatly the strength, ductility, and fracture and impact toughness for tempers at and below 473 K, independent of test temperature, but there was some concomitant deterioration in the transverse properties. It is postulated that the fine subcell structure, introduced during the CRP, is mainly responsible for the improved mechanical properties. However, there is an abrupt reduction in fracture energy of fatigue precracked steels for tempers above 473 K, so above this temperature there is little difference in the properties of the CRP and CHT steels. This is attributed to fine carbide precipitation, which promotes shear localisation and dimple fracture. Despite this, it is demonstrated by the present work that the CRP steel is attractive for low temperature ultrahigh strength steel applications.MST/734

Low temperature mechanical properties of quenched and tempered 0·4C–Ni–Cr–Mo steel after controlled rolling

Abstract The mechanical properties of a quenched and tempered 0·4C–Ni–Cr–Mo steel after controlled rolling (CRP steel) have been studied over the temperature range 77–293 K with the aim of developing a CRP steel for low temperature ultrahigh strength applications. The results obtained were compared with those of a conventional quenched and tempered 0·4C–Ni–Cr–Mo steel (CHT steel). The CRP process was found to improve greatly the strength, ductility, and fracture and impact toughness for tempers at and below 473 K, independent of test temperature, but there was some concomitant deterioration in the transverse properties. It is postulated that the fine subcell structure, introduced during the CRP, is mainly responsible for the improved mechanical properties. However, there is an abrupt reduction in fracture energy of fatigue precracked steels for tempers above 473 K, so above this temperature there is little difference in the properties of the CRP and CHT steels. This is attributed to fine carbide precipita...

Tensile and fracture properties of type 316 stainless steel after creep

The effects of creep on the mechanical properties of type 316 stainless steel were studied. Tensile and Charpy specimens were machined from the oversize specimens crept at 750 °C and 103 MPa. The ambient fracture energy was found to deteriorate rapidly after creep. The ambient yield stress was increased moderately, but the tensile ductility was severely reduced. The effects of intergranular carbides alone on mechanical properties were studied with specimens thermal aged without load. These carbides were shown to cause a moderate reduction in fracture energy and tensile ductility but had little effect on yield stress. Extensive grain boundary separations were observed on the fracture surfaces. SEM studies showed that these grain boundaries were covered with micro voids initiated by the dense intergranular carbides. Frequently, large dimples on grain boundary joined up and initiated shear fracture into the grain. In the crept specimens additional microstructural changes in the form of intragranular carbides and subgrain boundaries were observed. Both are responsible for the increase in yield stress and the further reduction in tensile ductility and fracture energy. The intragranular carbides also modified the size and density of the dimples on the fracture surfaces.

Fracture of particulate filled polymers

AbstractThe addition of particulate mineral fillers to polymers confers certain mechanical property improvements automatically. Stiffness increases, creep diminishes and distortion at elevated temperatures is often reduced. However, the fracture energy of a polymer, as measured in impact, cracking or tearing tests, may vary quite unpredictably when filler is incorporated. In some special cases the fracture energy increases when small amounts of filler are added although it falls away again at higher volume loadings. This enhancement of polymer toughness by filler is an example of reinforcement. More generally the addition of filler causes a continuous and drastic reduction in fracture energy, resulting in a brittle, weak product.This paper seeks to explain the common degrading effect of filler on polymer fracture energy by considering the progress of a crack through the composite material. The crack travels through regions of polymer and also along the interfaces between polymer and filler. Experiment demonstrates that, although fracture of the polymer regions absorbs considerable energy, fracture of the interfaces usually requires very little. These weak interfaces do not resist cracking and are the cause of brittleness in particulate filled systems.This idea was quantified for thermoplastics such as low density polyethylene and poly (methylmethacrylate) filled with colloidal silica by twin‐roll milling. Where the interfacial adhesive energy was much smaller than the polymer fracture energy, the composite toughness dropped as predicted when filler was added. The particle size, the nature or dispersion of the filler, and the crystallinity of the polymer used, had little influence on this phenomenon, as pointed out theoretically.The crucial parameters influencing the fracture energy of the filled polymer were found to be the volume fraction of filler and the interfacial adhesion between polymer and filler. By chemical treatments the adhesive energy between filler and polymer was raised until the interface was almost as tough as the polymer itself. In this case the filled polymer showed good fracture toughness, lending further support to the theory.