Charpy upper shelf energy and crack resistance

The correlation between Charpy upper shelf energy and crack resistance was investigated by means of instrumented impact tests (ISO-V specimens) and fracture mechanics tests (CT specimens) using four different steels. The strict definition of the Rice J-integral was not applied to the ISO-V specimens. Defining J as the first derivative of deformation energy, it was possible to obtain crack resistance curves of ISO-V specimens and CT specimens. This correlation has been obtained in steels of yield strength between 365 and 480 N/mm² and is independent of the material. The mechanical basis of this relation can be understood in terms of the criterion for ductile fracture. 60 to 80% of the upper shelf energy is consumed by stable crack growth according to these experiments. The upper shelf energy is useful as a screening test for crack resistance curves. More definite crack resistance values can be estimated from instrumented impact test carried out in dependence on temperature. It seems to be possible to estimate the required upper shelf energy to be specified in regulations with respect to ductile failure safety on the basis of materials mechanics.