The Influence of Crystallographic Orientation of the Crack Plane and Crack Front on the Fracture of Tungsten Single Crystals

Abstract

AbstractFor fracture studies on oriented W monocrystalline specimens it is necessary to produce very sharp, stopped precracks, which presents difficulties in the case of W. The experimental procedure and technique to produce precracks is described. The fracture experiments gave strong indications for a preference of the {100} plane as cleavage plane. It was found that the {110} planes successfully resist crack propagation, although they are the planes with the lowest surface energy. The appearance of the {121} plane as a cleavage plane in our experiments makes further studies with oriented W monocrystalline samples necessary.