Issue
DYMAT 2009
Volume 1, 2009
DYMAT 2009 - 9th International Conference on the Mechanical and Physical Behaviour of Materials under Dynamic Loading
Page(s) 407 - 412
Section Experimental Techniques
DOI https://doi.org/10.1051/dymat/2009058
Published online 15 September 2009
DYMAT 2009 (2009) 407-412
DOI: 10.1051/dymat/2009058

Dynamic fracture initiation toughness of high strength steel alloys

J.T. Foster1, W.W. Chen2 and V.K. Luk1

1  Sandia National Laboratories, Penetration Technology, Albuquerque, NM, USA
2  Purdue University, Schools of Aeronautics & Astronautics and Materials Engineering, West Lafayette, IN, USA


Published online: 15 September 2009

Abstract
Determination of fracture toughness for metals under quasi-static loading conditions can follow well-established procedures and ASTM standards. The use of metallic materials in impact-related applications requires the determination of dynamic fracture initiation toughness for these materials. There are two main challenges in experiment design that must be overcome before valid dynamic data can be obtained. Dynamic equilibrium over the entire specimen needs to be approximately achieved to relate the crack tip loading state to the far-field loading conditions, and the loading rate at the crack tip should be maintained near constant during an experiment to delineate rate effects on the values of dynamic fracture toughness. A recently developed experimental technique for determining dynamic fracture toughness of brittle materials has been adapted to measure the dynamic initiation fracture toughness of high strength steel alloys. A split-Hopkinson pressure bar is used to apply the dynamic loading. A pulse shaper is used to achieve constant loading rate at the crack tip and dynamic equilibrium across the specimen. A four-point bending configuration is used at the impact section of the setup. Results are presented which show a rate dependent proportionality of fracture initiation toughness for 4340 high-strength steel.



© EDP Sciences 2009