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At least 127 records · Page 7

Effect of Li level, artificial aging, and TiB2 reinforcement on the fracture toughness of Weldalite (tm) 049-type alloys

Plane strain fracture toughness (K sub IC) was evaluated for Weldalite (tm) 049 with and without TiB2 reinforcement. For the nonreinforced variant, changes in toughness were measured for various aging conditions and lithium levels. Toughness testing was carried out on fatigue precracked compact tension (CT) specimens at 24 C, as per ASTM standard E-399. Toughness was measured as a function of aging time at 160 C for the two Weldalite 049(1.3) heats. The composition of these heats differed only in that 0.03 wt pct. Ti was added to one as an additional grain refiner. Both heats showed a decrease in toughness with increasing aging time, although toughness values for one were significantly higher than for the other. This greater toughness may be due to a subtle change in the grain size resulting for the presence of Ti or, alternatively, to differences in texture or substructure formed during extrusion.

Source record↗

Preliminary design of cracked-lap shear specimen thickness for determination of interlaminar fracture toughness

This paper outlines a technique for preliminary sizing of the adherends for cracked-lap-shear specimen to assure delamination instead of adherend failure. The cracked-lap-shear specimen is a popular specimen used for determination of mixed mode interlaminar fracture toughness of composites. Thin adherends, on the order of three plies thick, have been used successfully in the past for determination of fracture toughness of rather brittle matrix systems. However, the tougher matrices now being considered for composite applications require thicker adherends in order to get composite delamination rather than adherend failure. The optimum thickness is obtained on the basis that the critical value of the strain energy release rate is reached at the delamination front before the ultimate strength is reached in the adherend. By proper design the specimen would delaminate and not use excessive material or load. A simple analysis for the optimum adherend thickness and experimental verification are included.

Mangalgiri, P. D.↗

Simplified composite micromechanics equations for strength, fracture toughness and environmental effects

A unified set of composite micromechanics equations of simple form is summarized and described. This unified set includes composite micromechanics equations for predicting: (1) ply in-plane uniaxial strengths; (2) through-the-thickness strength (interlaminar and flexural); (3) in-plane fracture toughness; (4) in-plane impact resistance; and (5) through-the-thickness (interlaminar and flexural) impact resistance. Equations are also included for predicting the hygrothermal effects on strength, fracture toughness and impact resistance. Several numerical examples are worked out to illustrate the ease of use of the various composite micromechanics equations.

Chamis, C. C.↗

The effect of microstructure on the fracture toughness of titanium alloys

The high-strength titanium alloys are widely used in aircraft and aerospace structures due to their high strength to density ratios. In such applications, the fracture toughness rather than the strength is often the factor which requires larger size sections and lower useful payloads. The response of the strength and toughness of titanium alloys was analyzed generally without regard to the fracture mode or the effect of microstructure on the fracture mechanisms. Research on the fracture mechanisms in aluminum alloys and steels showed that the toughness may be improved by decreasing the sizes of inclusions and sub-micron precipitates. An investigation was conducted to study the fracture mechanisms in titanium alloys which may lead to suggestions for the improvement of the fracture toughness without a corresponding loss in strength.

Vanstone, R. H.↗

Effect of Growth Rate on Elevated Temperature Plastic Flow and Room Temperature Fracture Toughness of Directionally Solidified NiAl-31Cr-3Mo

The eutectic system Ni-33Al-31Cr-3Mo was directionally solidified at rates ranging from 7.6 to 508 mm/h. Samples were examined for microstructure and alloy chemistry, compression tested at 1200 and 1300 K, and subjected to room temperature fracture toughness measurements. Lamellar eutectic grains were formed at 12.7 mm/h; however cellular structures with a radial eutectic pattern developed at faster growth rates. Elevated temperature compression testing between 10(exp -4) to 10(exp -7)/s did not reveal an optimum growth condition, nor did any single growth condition result in a significant fracture toughness advantage. The mechanical behavior, taken together, suggests that Ni-33Al-31Cr-3Mo grown at rates from 25.4 to 254 mm/h will have nominally equivalent properties.

Whittenberger, J. Daniel↗

The effect of mixed mode precracking on the mode 1 fracture toughness of composite laminates

We subjected double cantilever beam specimens from four different composite materials to mixed-mode precracking. Three different precracking mode 1 to mode 2 ratios were used--1 to 4, 1 to 1, and 4 to 1. Following precracking the specimens were tested for mode I fracture toughness. The mixed-mode precracking often influenced the mode 1 toughness and its influence persisted for as much as 60 mm of mode 1 crack growth. We tested composites with untoughened matrices, composites with rubber-toughened matrices, and composites with interlayer toughening. Depending on material type and precracking mode ratio, the precracking could cause either a significant increase or a significant decrease in the mode 1 fracture toughness.

Shankar, Prashanth↗

Effect of Embedded Piezoelectric Sensors on Fracture Toughness and Fatigue Resistance of Composite Laminates Under Mode I Loading

Double-cantilevered beam (DCB) specimens of a glass/epoxy composite material with embedded piezoelectric sensors were tested both statically and under fatigue loading to determine the effect of the embedded material on the Mode I fracture toughness and fatigue resistance compared to baseline data without the embedded elements. A material known as LaRC-Macrofiber Composite (LaRC-MFC (TradeMark)), or MFC, was embedded at the midplane of the specimen during the layup. Specimens were manufactured with the embedded MFC material either at the loaded end of the specimen to simulate an initial delamination; or with the MFC material located at the delaminating interface, with a Teflon film at the loaded end to simulate an initial delamination. There were three types of specimens with the embedded material at the delaminating interface: co-cured with no added adhesive; cured with a paste adhesive applied to the embedded element; or cured with a film adhesive added to the embedded material. Tests were conducted with the sensors in both the passive and active states. Results were compared to baseline data for the same material without embedded elements. Interlaminar fracture toughness values (G(sub Ic)) for the passive condition showed little change when the MFC was at the insert end. Passive results varied when the MFC was at the delaminating interface. For the co-cured case and with the paste adhesive, G(sub Ic) decreased compared to the baseline toughness, whereas, for the film adhesive case, G(sub Ic) was significantly greater than the baseline toughness, but the failure was always catastrophic. When the MFC was in the active state, G(sub Ic) was generally lower compared to the passive results. Fatigue tests showed little effect of the embedded material whether it was active or passive compared to baseline values.

Murri, Gretchen B.↗

Double Cantilever Beam Fracture Toughness Testing of Several Composite Materials

Double-cantilever beam fracture toughness tests were performed by the Composite Materials Research Group on several different unidirectional composite materials provided by NASA Langley Research Center. The composite materials consisted of Hercules IM-7 carbon fiber and various matrix resin formulations. Multiple formulations of four different families of matrix resins were tested: LaRC - ITPI, LaRC - IA, RPT46T, and RP67/RP55. Report presents the materials tested and pertinent details supplied by NASA. For each material, three replicate specimens were tested. Multiple crack extensions were performed on each replicate.

Kessler, Jeff A.↗

The effect of microstructure and strength on the fracture toughness of an 18 ni, 300 grade maraging steel

Methods for increasing the strength of maraging steels are discussed. An investigation was conducted to systematically vary the strength of 18 weight percent nickel, 300 grade maraging steel, to isolate any attending microstructural changes, and to study the effects of these changes on the fracture toughness of the alloy. A study aimed at determining the aging behavior of the program alloy was carried out to provide data by which to estimate yield strength. The effects of various alloying materials on the strength of the maraging steel are examined. The mechanical properties of the 300 grade maraging steel were determined by tension tests, fatigue precracked Charpy impact tests, and plane strain fracture toughness tests.

Psioda, J. A.↗

The effect of microstructure and strength on the fracture toughness of an 18 Ni, 300 grade maraging steel

Fractography and metallographic sectioning were used to investigate the influence of microstructure and strength on the fracture toughness (KIc) and fracture mechanism of an 18 Ni, 300 grade maraging steel. Increased yield strength from 1442 to 2070 MN/m squared through precipitation hardening results in a KIc loss from 143 to 55 MN/m superscript 3/2. Ti (C,N) Ti2S, and TiC inclusions in sizes from 1 to 8, 1 to 15, and 0.1 to 2 microns respectively serve as sites for void nucleation and lead to fracture by the dimpled rupture process in all strength levels considered. TiC nucleated dimples occupy more than half the fracture in all conditions. Void nucleation rate and resultant number of dimples per unit area of fracture increase with increasing yield strength. Average dimple size decreases with increasing strength and/or overaging which follows from the decreasing amount of stable void growth measured by sectioning tensile specimens. Void growth is assisted by crack branching along a path of TiC inclusions. Coalescence occurs in the highest strength materials by a combination of TiC void nucleation and premature separation at strengthening precipitates.

Psioda, J. A.↗

Heavy-section fracture toughness screening specimen

The reported study has the objective to fix the proportions and limits of application of a double-edge-notch specimen with one of the notches tipped with a fatigue crack (DENC). Details regarding the DENC specimen are discussed, taking into account specimen length, notch length, specimen width and thickness, and the loading pins. The influence of specimen width and thickness on the crack strenght and apparent plane-strain fracture toughness of the specimen has been determined for eight alloys. It is concluded that the DENC specimen shows promise for screening alloys with reference to their plane-strain fracture toughness in sections up to 1 in.

Shannon, J. L., Jr.↗

The Effect of Thin Film Adhesives on Mode I Interlaminar Fracture Toughness in Carbon Fiber Composites with Shape Memory Alloy Inserts

Shape Memory Alloy (SMA) was placed within Polymer Matrix Composite (PMC) panels alongside film adhesives to examine bonding. Double cantilever beam (DCB) testing was performed using ASTM D5528. C-scanning was performed before testing, modal acoustic emissions (MAE) were monitored during testing, and microscopy performed post-test. Data was analyzed using modified beam theory (MBT), compliance calibration (CC) and modified compliance calibration (MCC) methods. Fracture toughness for control specimens was higher than previously reported due to fiber-bridging. Specimens with SMAs and adhesives stabilized crack propagation. Results revealed SMA-bridging; a phenomenon mimicking fiber-bridging which increased the load and fracture toughness of SMA specimens.

Derek J Quade↗

The effect of microstructure and strength on the fracture toughness of an 18 Ni, 300 grade maraging steel

A 300 grade maraging steel was chosen as a vehicle by which to understand the inverse relationship between strength and toughness in high strength alloys such as the 18 Ni maraging steels. The 18 Ni, 300 grade maraging material was a commercial grade consumable-electrode, vacuum arc remelted heat obtained in the form of forged and annealed plate. The matrix contained a population of second-phase impurity inclusions which was a product of the casting and hot working processes. These inclusions did not change with subsequent precipitation hardening. Changes in microstructure resulting in strength increases were brought about by variations in aging temperature and time. Maximum strength was attained in the 300 grade maraging steel by aging at 427 C (800 F) for 100 hours. Tensile, fatigue precracked Charpy impact, and plane-strain fracture toughness tests were performed at room temperature, 20 C (68 F). With increasing strength the fracture toughness decreases as smaller and smaller inclusions act as sites for void initiation.

Psioda, J. A.↗

Composite structure global fracture toughness via computational simulation

A computational method for the simulation of damage and fracture propagation in laminated composites is presented. A quantitative evaluation of the global fracture toughness of composites is shown as a tool for monitoring the fracture stability of composites under sustained loading. Changes in overall structural properties such as natural frequencies and the fundamental buckling load are also computed with increasing load-induced damage. Structural degradation, delamination, fracture, and damage propagation are included in the simulation. An angle-plied composite plate structure subjected to inplane tensile loading is used as an example to demonstrate some of the feature of the computational method.

Minnetyan, L.↗