Microstructures controlling the ductile crack growth resistance of low carbon steels

Microstructures controlling the ductile crack growth resistance in the ductile-brittle fracture transition region have been investigated with three low carbon low alloy steels, which showed characteristic differences in the R curves. The crack growth resistance is related to both the primary dimple morphology and the total length of local shear zones appearing on the fracture surface; the latter contribution predominates over the former. The heterogeneity of the microstructures, which constrains slip propagation at the grain boundaries, supplies sites for easy void nucleation and induces local shear and the resulting surface roughness.