Biaxial Brittle Fracture Tests

Abstract

The brittle fracture characteristics of a particular steel can be evaluated by a notched specimen if sufficient triaxial tension or constraint is developed at the notch. A biaxially loaded notched test specimen has been developed in which a crack-like notch was prepared by compressing a V-notch. Data obtained with this specimen are compared to those of two other types of test and found to be more consistent and reliable. This test specimen can also be used in a neutron radiation program for determining the change in Brittle Fracture characteristics of stressed and unstressed materials.