Influence of Geometrical Variables on Initiation Fracture Toughness (J_IC) of Low Carbon High Manganese SA 333 Gr. 6 Steel

Abstract

The study of the initiation fracture toughness (J_IC) and J–R curve of low carbon SA333 Gr. 6 steel by compact tension (CT) indicates that for thicker specimens, J_IC decreases with the increasing ratio of crack depth (a) to specimen width (W), a/W, both for deep and shallow cracks. However, for thinner specimen, J_IC decreases with a/W ratio for shallow cracks but for deep cracks, J_IC is insensitive to a/W ratio. Initiation fracture toughness increases with decreasing thickness but at relatively lower thicknesses beyond plane strain condition, initiation fracture toughness increases significantly with increasing specimen thickness for different a/W ratio investigated.