The Role of the Strain Hardening Exponent in Stress Corrosion Cracking of a High Strength Steel

Abstract

Abstract Stress corrosion testing of a vanadium modification of 4340 alloy was conducted using precracked specimens in a cantilever beam apparatus. Plastic zones at the crack tip were determined using optical interference measurements, and the effect of these plastic zones on the fracture paths was demonstrated. Crack propagation rates were measured for steels of varying yield strengths (140–205 ksi). Electron fractographs and photomicrographs associated with the fracture through plastic zone are presented. Crack propagation rates were shown to vary inversely with the yield strength of the steel with the overall failure time being related to both the propagation rate and the fracture toughness of the material.