Analysis of notch effect in the apparent fracture toughness and fracture micromechanisms

This paper, reported by Sciencedirect.com, presents an analysis of the notch effect on two ferritic-pearlitic steels operating within their corresponding lower shelf, and develops an experimental programme, composed of 28 CT characterisation specimens and 72 CT validation specimens, together with finite elements analysis with the aim of validating the apparent fracture toughness predictions provided by the Theory of Critical Distances. The results have shown how this theory provides reasonable predictions of the apparent fracture toughness of the material .

The research is completed with the analysis of the evolution of fracture micromechanisms when the notch radius increases, revealing a direct relation between this evolution and the apparent fracture toughness observations.