The fracture characteristics of 5083-0 products and of 5183 welds, in which crack-like flaws and welding residual stress were present, were studied at room and low temperatures. From the experimental results, the following conclusions were obtained:
1) Both of notched base metal and notched welded joints showed ductile fracture at room and low temperatures. The fracture stress or the maximum stress was nearly equal in the both cases and above the 0.2% proof stress at the same temperature.
2) The fracture stress of the deep notch test specimen with 400mm width was approximately equal to that of an infinite plate with a notch, like actual structure.
3) When the plate thickness was between 25mm and 80mm, the fracture stress of the notched plate was hardly affected by the plate thickness.
4) The laminar appearance can be observed only at the low temperature in the notched base metal, when the stress level was above the 0.2% proof stress.
5) The welding esidual stress hardly affected the fracture stress of notched plate.