Predictions of the initial non- steady- state crack growth behavior in the creepjfatigue of the nickel- base superalloy AP1

Using the fracture mechanics parametersK and C* to analyze cyclic crack growth test results carried out on the nickel-base superalloy API, the effects of test frequency on the initial incubation time followed by transient cracking rates and the steady-state secondary crack growth rates were considered. The crack-ing behavior at 700 °C for this material exhibits a frequency dependence over a range of 0.001 to 10 Hz. It has been shown that, at high temperatures under steady-state cracking conditions, fatigue processes are most dominant at high frequencies, and conversely, time-dependent creep dominates at low frequen-cies. The creep cracking rate is described by a model linked to the exhaustion of available ductility in a creep process zone at the crack tip, and the fatigue rate is linked to the Paris Law equation. For the sec-ondary regime of crack growth, the effects of frequency are described in a cumulative damage model de-veloped for creepJfatigue interaction. For the crack incubation and the transient process under initial loading, the model is extended to predict the cracking behavior in the creep regime at low cyclic frequen-cies. For the higher frequencies, fatigue dominates and creep transient effects are not observed experi-mentally.     

Fracture behaviour and fracture toughness of ductile closed-cell metallic foams

Standard fracture mechanics tests were carried out on two different types of aluminium foam, ALPORAS^® foams and ALULIGHT^® foams, with a variety of densities. Standard fracture toughness tests on compact tension (CT) specimens with widths from 50 mm to 300 mm and in situ tests in the scanning electron microscope were performed. Fracture toughness values in terms of the critical stress intensity factor, K_IC, the critical J-integral, J_IC, and the critical crack-tip opening displacement, COD_5,i, were determined. To identify the fracture process, local deformation measurements were performed on the foam surfaces with a digital image processing system.From the deformation measurements it is evident that the deformation is strongly localised on different length scales. A relatively large fracture process zone, 6–8 cells in height, is developed, where only few of them are heavily deformed. On the cell wall level the deformation is again strongly localised to the thinnest parts of the cell wall, where cracks initiate and propagate. The crack propagates through the foam, building many secondary cracks and crack bridges. The comparison of K vs. Δa (crack extension), J vs. Δa and COD vs. Δa with the current fracture processes at the crack tip and the load–displacement response reveals that COD gives the most reliable measured values to characterise the fracture toughness.     

Effects of rate on crack growth in a rubber-modified epoxy

The rate-dependent fracture behavior of a 10-phr rubber-modified epoxy was investigated using double-cantilever-beam tests at various crosshead speeds. Dramatic rate effects were observed in the R-curve behavior and in the relationship between the applied energy-release rate and the crack velocity. Furthermore, a transition between fracture with toughening mechanisms operating (kinetic crack growth) and brittle behavior (dynamic crack growth) was observed. This transition depended on the crack velocity and applied energy-release rate. Such behavior is expected to depend on how the intrinsic toughness and/or the extrinsic toughening mechanisms are influenced by strain rate. It was shown that the size of the process zone was only weakly dependent on the crack velocity until the onset of dynamic fracture. Furthermore, the extent of void growth was virtually independent of the crack velocity in the kinetic regime. These results appear to rule out the notion that crack-tip shielding is significantly affected by rate effects in this rubber-modified epoxy. Rather, the rate effects may arise from a rate-dependent intrinsic toughness. It was observed that the intrinsic toughness decreased significantly with increasing crack velocity. The crack instability was shown to be associated with an abrupt cessation of the development of the process zone, with both cavitation and void growth being totally suppressed.     

Investigations on the microstructure and room temperature fracture toughness of directionally solidified NiAl–Cr(Mo) eutectic alloy

The microstructures and room temperature fracture toughness of directionally solidified NiAl-xCr-6Mo (x = 28, 32 and 36 at%) alloys were investigated. Fully eutectic microstructure could be obtained in the alloys over a wide composition range. High temperature gradient could increase the planar/cellular transition rate and expand the eutectic coupled growth zone. The volume fraction of Cr(Mo) strengthening phase increased with the increasing content of Cr, accordingly, the fracture toughness of NiAl–Cr(Mo) alloys also gradually increased. The fracture toughness of 26.15 MPa m^1/2 was obtained in the NiAl-36Cr-6Mo hypereutectic alloy solidified at withdrawal rate of 10 μm/s and temperature gradient of 600 K/cm, which is the highest value in the NiAl–Cr–Mo alloy system until now. Well-aligned microstructure was beneficial to the enhancement of the fracture toughness, while the existence of primary phase seriously deteriorated the toughness. All the directionally solidified NiAl–Cr(Mo) alloy failed as brittle quasi-cleavage fracture. Some toughening mechanisms, such as crack bridging, crack nucleation, crack blunting, crack deflection, interface debonding and shear ligament toughening as well as linkage of microcracks were observed. In addition, mobile dislocation generated from the interface also had significant influence on the toughness.     

Microstructure and creep strength of welds in advanced ferritic power plant steels

Abstract

The microstructure and creep strength of simulated heat affected zone (HAZ) specimens and welded joints have been investigated for advanced 9-12%Cr steels in order to understand the mechanisms responsible for Type IV cracks and to improve the creep strength of welded joints at high temperature. The creep and creep rupture tests were carried out at 650° C (923 K) for up to about 10⁴ h. The creep crack growth tests were also carried out for welded joints, base metal and simulated HAZ specimens using the CT specimens. The creep rupture time of simulated HAZ specimens has its minimum after heating to A_C3 temperature, which produces fine-grained martensitic microstructure. Decreasing the width of HAZ by means of electron beam (EB) welding is effective for the extension of creep life but the brittle Type IV fracture appears even in the EB welded joints at low stress and long time conditions. Most of the welded joint specimens were fractured in fine-grained HAZ and resulted in shorter creep life than those of base metals as a result of the formation of creep voids and cracks. It should also be noted that in the fine-grained zone, the recovery of martensitic microstructure during creep is inhomogeneous as shown by the formation of coarse subgrains in the region of fine subgrains. Using a specially designed FEM code for Type IV crack growth behaviour, the vacancy diffusion under multi-axial stress conditions of welded joints in HAZ is analysed. The effect of creep ductility and void formation ahead of the crack tip on creep crack growth rate is successfully simulated.     

Observations of crack tip process zones in cubic titanium trialuminide intermetallics

Despite the fact that the single-phase L1₂-ordered titanium trialuminides, derived from D0₂₂-ordered Al₃Ti by alloying with fourth-period transition elements such as Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, and Zn have a cubic lattice structure, their room temperature fracture toughness remains quite low (4–5 MPa m^1/2). In general, process zones developed at the crack tips determine the fracture toughness of a material. In this work the results of the crack tip fracture studies of cubic (L1₂) Al₃Ti alloys stabilized with Mn are presented. The process zones at the crack tip in nearly stoichiometric single-phase L1₂ 9Mn–25Ti (at.%) titanium trialuminides were not observed in most of the specimens studied. Occasionally, two types of process zones were observed: either small, heavily localized process-plastic zones accompanied by a crack tip “collapse”, or “pseudo-bifurcated” ones, reminiscent of those in brittle ceramics. Observations of the crack tip process zones in multiphase, high Ti (up to ∼33 at.%), B-doped trialuminides, exhibiting increased fracture toughness (∼7 MPa m^1/2), show the presence of secondary microcracks in the zone ahead of the crack tip and adjacent to the propagating crack, and more plasticity at the crack tip.     

EFFECT OF CREEP FRACTURE TOUGHNESS ON CRACK INITIATION AND GROWTH

本文研究了蠕变断裂韧性对二种低合金耐热钢蠕变裂纹开裂和扩展的影响。试验表明:随着蠕变断裂韧性提高,抗蠕变裂纹开裂和扩展能力增加。材料呈韧性或脆性状态时,蠕变裂纹萌生和扩展过程不同。韧性状态时,裂纹为穿晶和晶界二种混合形式:穿晶裂纹可在晶内碳化物处发生,或在晶界上形核后向晶内扩展,晶界裂纹仍是由晶界上空洞形成和相互连接而成,裂纹可沿晶界和晶内扩展,但不连续。脆性状态时,裂纹沿晶界发生,它是由晶界形成空洞和相互连接而成,扩展仅沿晶界发生。     

A wedge fracture toughness test for intermediate toughness materials: Application to brazed joints

A fracture toughness test for intermediate toughness materials is developed. The test configuration is a wedge-driven double cantilever beam, with design guided by analytical solutions for the energy release rate and compliance. Actual toughness measurements require finite element methods. To promote crack stability, a pre-cracking fixture is employed. The method is illustrated for a brazed joint. Measurements of the fracture resistance used both fractographic and compliance methods to ascertain crack length. The ensuing fracture resistance, Γ_R ≈ 1 kJ m⁻², is significantly greater than that for the intermetallic constituents. Approximately half of the toughening is attributed to plastic stretch of the ductile phase within the eutectic. The remainder is attributed to dissipation within a plastic zone that forms in the primary γ-Ni regions. A rationale for improving toughness is presented.     

Film rupture model for aqueous stress corrosion cracking under constant and variable stress intensity factor

A film rupture model for aqueous stress corrosion cracking is developed and used to predict kinetics of crack growth under constant and variable stress intensity factor. The model predicts that creep is necessary for sustained crack growth and creep rate limits crack velocity for constant K and dK/da loading. Contrary to recent thinking, the crack tip strain due to crack advance is viewed as a result, not a cause of crack growth. The crack tip strain gradient elevates and maintains crack tip stress as the crack propagates, which enables creep and sustained crack growth. The model provides a basis for understanding effects of positive and negative K - variation on crack growth.     

Ductilisation of tungsten (W) through cold-rolling: R-curve behaviour

Here we show that cold-rolling of tungsten (W) decreases the stable crack growth onset temperature. Furthermore, we show that stable crack growth is accompanied by crack bridging, which in turn is triggered by dislocation activity. The entire stable crack growth regime shows ductile intergranular fracture.Our ductilisation approach is the modification of microstructure through cold-rolling. In this work, we assess two different microstructures obtained from (i) cold-rolled and (ii) severely cold-rolled tungsten plates. From these plates, single-edge cracked-plate tension (SECT) specimens were cut and tested in the L-T direction. Crack growth resistance (R) curves were obtained using the direct-current-potential-drop method (DCPM). The experiments show the following results: cold-rolled plates are brittle at room temperature (RT), but show stable crack growth at 250 °C (523 K) and a fracture toughness, K_IQ, of about 100 MPa(m)^1/2 at a crack extension, Δa, of 0.6 mm. Severely cold-rolled tungsten plates show stable crack growth at RT and a fracture toughness, K_IQ, of 100 MPa(m)^1/2 at a crack extension, Δa, of 0.3 mm. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analyses of the stable crack growth region show intergranular fracture with microductile character.The question of why cold-rolling causes the stable crack growth onset temperature to decrease (or in other words, why cold-rolling causes the brittle-to-ductile transition (BDT) temperature to decrease) is discussed against the background of (i) intrinsic and extrinsic size effects, (ii) crystallographic texture, (iii) impurities and (iv) the role of dislocations. Our results suggest that the spacing between the dislocation nucleation sites (high angle grain boundaries (HAGBs) act as dislocation source) is the most important parameter responsible for the decrease of the stable crack growth onset temperature.     

Role of the grain-boundary phase on the elevated-temperature strength,toughness, fatigue and creep resistance of silicon carbide sintered with Al,B and C

The high-temperature mechanical properties, specifically strength, fracture toughness, cyclic fatigue-crack growth and creep behavior, of an in situ toughened silicon carbide, with Al, B and C sintering additives (ABC-SiC), have been examined at temperatures from ambient to 1500°C with the objective of characterizing the role of the grain-boundary film/phase. It was found that the high strength, cyclic fatigue resistance and particularly the fracture toughness displayed by ABC-SiC at ambient temperatures was not severely compromised at elevated temperatures; indeed, the fatigue-crack growth properties up to 1300°C were essentially identical to those at 25°C, whereas resistance to creep deformation was superior to published results on silicon nitride ceramics. Mechanistically, the damage and shielding mechanisms governing cyclic fatigue-crack advance were essentially unchanged between ∼25°C and 1300°C, involving a mutual competition between intergranular cracking ahead of the crack tip and interlocking grain bridging in the crack wake. Moreover, creep deformation was not apparent below ∼1400°C, and involved grain-boundary sliding accommodated by diffusion along the interfaces between the grain-boundary film and SiC grains, with little evidence of cavitation. Such unusually good high-temperature properties in ABC-SiC are attributed to crystallization of the grain-boundary amorphous phase, which can occur either in situ, due to the prolonged thermal exposure associated with high-temperature fatigue and creep tests, or by prior heat treatment. Moreover, the presence of the crystallized grain-boundary phase did not degrade subsequent ambient-temperature mechanical properties; in fact, the strength, toughness and fatigue properties at 25°C were increased slightly.     

Resistance-curve and fracture behavior of Ti–Al3Ti metallic–intermetallic laminate (MIL) composites

The R-curve and fracture toughness behavior of single-edge notch beams of Ti–Al₃Ti metallic–intermetallic laminate (MIL) composites has been investigated. Composites with 14, 20, and 35% volume fraction Ti, with a corresponding intermetallic layer thickness of ~540, ~440, and ~300 microns, respectively, were tested in crack arrester and crack divider orientations. In the arrester orientation, the R-curve could not be determined for the two highest Ti volume fraction compositions as the main crack could not be grown through the test samples. In the divider orientation, R-curves were determined for all three Ti volume fractions tested. The laminate composites were found to exhibit more than an order of magnitude improvement in fracture toughness over monolithic Al₃Ti. Crack bridging and crack deflection by the Ti layers were primarily responsible for the large-scale bridging conditions leading to the R-curve behavior and enhanced fracture toughness. Estimates of steady-state toughness under small-scale bridging conditions were in close agreement with experimental results.     

Toughness of aluminium alloy foams

The fracture behaviour of closed cell aluminium-based foams (trade-name “Alulight”) is characterized for the compositions Al–Mg1–Si0.6 and Al–Mg1–Si10 (wt%), and for a relative density in the range 0.1–0.4. The toughness testing procedures are critically analysed, and the origins of the observed R-curve behaviour for metal foams are explored. A major contribution to the observed increasing crack growth resistance with crack advance is in the development of a crack bridging zone behind the crack tip. The crack bridging response is quantified in terms of a crack traction vs extra displacement curve by performing independent tests on deep notch specimens. The area under the bridging traction vs extra displacement curve from the deep notch tests is approximately equal to the measured initiation toughness J_IC, in support of the crack bridging concept. A line spring model is then used to interpret the fracture response. The effect of material composition and relative density upon the initiation toughness is measured, and the accuracy of an existing micromechanical model for the fracture toughness of a brittle foam is assessed. Finally, the reduction in tensile and compressive strengths due to the presence of an open hole is determined; it is found that the Alulight foams are notch-insensitive, with the net section strength equal to the unnotched strength.     

Microstructural effects on discrepancy between toughness under sharp cracks and blunt notches in Ti-added 8Ni-13Co secondary hardening steel

In this study, the toughness under sharp cracks and blunt notches is investigated in terms of the prior austenite grain size (PAGS) and inclusion particles as a function of the austenitizing treatment in a Ti-added 13Co-8Ni secondary hardening steel. For the quantitative analyses of the inclusion and precipitate particles, small-angle neutron scattering analyses are conducted under austenitizing conditions of 1050 °C, 1200/1050 °C, and 1200/1200 °C; the impact toughness values are 32, 30, and 24 J for each austenitizing condition, respectively. In contrast, the fracture toughness values under the same conditions are 66, 78, and 103 MPa·m^1/2. Thus, the fracture toughness significantly improves under 1200/1200 °C austenitizing conditions with coarse PAGS; however, the impact toughness deteriorates. The adverse effect of the grain size on the toughness under sharp cracks and blunt notches is elucidated in terms of the effective microstructural factors that control the fracture process inside the plastic zone, the size of which varies with the notch sharpness. In particular, through considering the density of the slip bands as a function of the grain size in the small confined plastic zone before the sharp crack, the complicated problem regarding an increase in the fracture toughness with an increasing grain size is described from micromechanical and microstructural perspectives.     

EFFECT OF CREEP FRACTURE TOUGHNESS ON CRACK INITIATION AND PROPAGATION UNDER CREEP FATIGUE INTERACTION

本文研究了蠕变断裂韧性对三种低合金Cr-Mo-V钢在蠕变一疲劳交互作用下裂纹开裂和扩展的影响.试验表明,材料韧性对裂纹开裂和扩展起重要作用,脆性状态时,裂纹开裂时间比蠕变时短,二者间的裂纹扩展速度无明显差别;韧性状态时,裂纹开裂时间不仅比蠕变时短,而且其裂纹扩展速度比蠕变时大得多.此外,低合金Cr-Mo-V钢经蠕变一疲劳交互作用后有脆化倾向,其脆性程度取决于钢的原始韧性值.韧性状态时,蠕变-疲劳交互作用显著促使三种Cr-Mo-V钢由韧性向脆性转变;而在脆性状态时,这种脆性转变不明显。     

Localised cyclic plastic deformation on translamellar fracture surfaces in a P/M γ-TiAl-based alloy

Large numbers of fine parallel steps are generated on translamellar fracture surfaces during slow crack growth (da/dN≤5.0×10⁻⁶ mm/cycle) under cyclic loading. These are seen only rarely during fast crack growth (da/dN≥1.0×10⁻⁴ mm/cycle) and are not seen during catastrophic fracture. These steps occur due to intense plastic deformation as a result of cleavage on {111} planes along twin boundaries and dislocation bands. Such action may promote an inherent resistance to crack growth owing to higher energy dissipation. TEM examinations show that the intense deformation structure consists of both microtwins and dislocation bands if the lamellae are orientated to allow easy glide. Conversely, microtwin activity dominates when easy dislocation glide is prevented. Crack initiation and growth resistance are sensitive to such microscopic features within the deformation zone. Lamellar volume fraction, the proportion and distribution of γ grains inside lamellae and lamellar interfacial strength may all influence the local plastic deformation through their interaction with underlying slip and twinning processes.     

Fracture of aluminium reinforced with densely packed ceramic particles: link between the local and the total work of fracture

Model composites of pure Al reinforced with 50% ceramic particles are produced by infiltration. The composite fracture energy is measured by J-integral testing. Marked R-curve behaviour is found. The J–R curves exhibit a break in their slope at a well-defined point. This point is shown to denote the onset of macroscopic crack propagation and is used to assess the composite toughness. Toughness reaches values as high as 40 MPa$\text{m}$. Quantitative metallography and stereoscopic reconstructions of fracture surfaces are used to estimate the local work of fracture in the process zone. The measured (total) fracture energy is about ten times the estimated local fracture energy, for all composites. The main contribution to their total fracture energy is thus from plastic dissipation around the crack-tip; however, the toughness is still dictated by the local fracture energy. This study hence experimentally substantiates the “valve” concept in fracture mechanics.     

Fracture of ECAP-deformed iron and the role of extrinsic toughening mechanisms

The fracture behaviour of pure iron deformed by equal-channel angular pressing via route A was examined. The fracture toughness was determined for different specimen orientations and measured in terms of the critical plane strain fracture toughness, K_IC, the critical J integral, J_IC, and the crack opening displacement for crack initiation, COD_i. The results demonstrate that the crack plane orientation has a pronounced effect on the fracture toughness. Different crack plane orientations lead to either crack deflection or delamination, resulting in increased fracture resistance in comparison to one remarkably weak specimen orientation. The relation between the microstructure typical for the applied deformation route and the enormous differences in the fracture toughness depending on the crack plane orientation will be analyzed in this paper.     

THE CREEP AND FRACTURE BEHAVIOR OF TWO NICKEL-BASED SUPERALLOYS

1.IntroductionTheevolutionofsuperalloyshasbeengreatlymotiVatedbythedevelopmentofmodernjetengines.Somepartsoftheengineareoperatedathightemperaturesandsubjectedtobothstaticanddynamicforcesaswellasthermalgradients.Therefore,creepcanoccuratsignificantratesandthentheestimationofcreepstrainandtheassociateddamageaccumulationbecomethecriticalconsiderationinthedesignoftheenginebladesoperatingathightemperatures.ThepurposeofthisinvestigationwastoexaminethecreeppropertyandfracturebehaviorofthecastK417and…     

Determination of lower bound fracture toughness of a high strength low alloy steel welded joint

Abstract

The use of high strength low alloy steels for high performance structures (e.g. pressure vessels and pipelines) requires high strength consumables to produce an overmatched welded joint. This globally overmatched multipass welded joint contains two significantly different microstructures, as-welded and reheated. In this paper, the influence of weld metal microstructure on fracture behaviour is estimated in comparison with the fracture behaviour of composite microstructures (as-welded and reheated). The lower bound of fracture toughness for different microstructures was evaluated by using the modified Weibull distribution. The results, obtained using specimens with crack front through the thickness, indicated low fracture toughness, caused by strength mismatching interaction along the crack front. In the case of through thickness specimens, at least one local brittle microstructure is incorporated in the process zone at the vicinity of the crack tip. Hence, unstable fracture occurred with small, or without, stable crack propagation. Despite the fact that the differences between the impact toughness of a weld metal and the that of base metal are insignificant, the fracture toughness of a weld metal can be significantly lower.