LOCAL APPROACH TO CORRELATE CLEAVAGE FRACTURE TOUGHNESS WITH MICROSTRUCTURE OF STEEL

This study proposes a new fracture model to correlate cleavage fracture toughness with microstructure of steel having bainitic structure with/without M-A constituent based on the Local Approach. In this model, a new fracture parameter to predict fracture toughness is derived through the proposal of microstructural characteristic of the material to control fracture toughness and on the basis of weakest link theory assumed Griffith crack. The material properties required for applying the fracture model are microstructural properties, those are 1) representative volume and 2) maximum size distribution of micro-crack nuclei, 3) mechanical properties and 4) effective energy release rate of matrix material. The applicability of the theoretical fracture model is demonstrated by experiments for upper bainitic steel with different microstructural morphology. This model can correlate materials properties which are microstructural and mechanical properties with fracture toughness.
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