On the Dislocation Theory of Brittle Fracture

The state-of-the-art of the theory of brittle fracture and cold brittleness of BCC metals is considered in detail. The equation describing brittle fracture is proposed, for which the Stroh equation is a particular case. It is shown that the temperature of brittle fracture is a function of deformation rate, impurity concentrations, size of grains and blocks of structure. The conditions and mechanism of detachement dislocations from impurity atmospheres are discussed.