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At least 19 records
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS1983

Determination of interlaminar fracture toughness and fracture mode dependence of composites using the edge delamination test

Edge delamination testing has been conducted in order to determine the mixed mode interlaminar fracture toughness of unnotched (+, -35/0/90)s and (0/+, -35/90)s laminates with graphite fibers and epoxy matrices, with or without elastomer additives. Although the two stacking sequences were chosen so that the total strain energy release rates were equal, the percentages of crack opening and shear mode energy release rates were found to vary widely between the layups. Plots of interlaminar fracture toughness as a function of crack opening energy release rate percentage have been drawn to generate delamination failure criteria which reflect the observed fracture mode dependence.

Obrien, T. K.↗
NASA NTRS1991

Effect of initial delamination on Mode 1 and Mode 2 interlaminar fracture toughness and fatigue fracture threshold

Static and fatigue double-cantilever beam (DCB) and end-notch flexure (ENF) tests were conducted to determine the effect of the simulated initial delamination in interlaminar fracture toughness, G(sub c), and fatigue fracture threshold, G(sub th). Unidirectional, 24-ply specimens of S2/SP250 glass/epoxy were tested using Kapton inserts of four different thickness - 13, 25, 75, and 130 microns, at the midplane at one end, or with tension or shear precracks, to simulate an initial delamination. To determine G(sub c), the fatigue fracture threshold below which no delamination growth would occur in less than 1 x 10(exp 6) cycles, fatigue tests were conducted by cyclically loading specimens until delamination growth was detected. Consistent values of model 1 fracture toughness, G(sub Ic), were measured from DCB specimens with inserts of thickness 75 microns or thinner, or with shear precracks. The fatigue DCB tests gave similar values of G(sub Ith) for the 13, 25, and 75 microns specimens. Results for the shear precracked specimens were significantly lower that for specimens without precracks. Results for both the static and fatigue ENF tests showed that measured G(IIc) and G(IIth) values decreased with decreasing insert thickness, so that no limiting thickness could be determined. Results for specimens with inserts of 75 microns or thicker were significantly higher than the results for precracked specimens or specimens with 13 or 25 microns inserts.

Murri, Gretchen Bostaph↗
NASA NTRS1986

Dynamic fracture toughness

Dynamic fracture toughness versus crack velocity relations of Homalite-100, polycarbonate, hardened 4340 steel and reaction bonded silicon nitride are reviewed and discrepancies with published data and their probable causes are discussed. Data scatter in published data are attributed in part to the observed fluctuations in crack velocities. The results reaffirmed our previous conclusion that the dynamic fracture toughness versus crack velocity relation is specimen dependent and that the dynamic arrest stress intensity factor is not a unique material property.

Kobayashi, A. S.↗
NASA NTRS1975

On fracture toughness evaluation for semi-brittle fracture

The existing methods of assessing the fracture toughness of materials exhibiting semi-brittle fracture are critically reviewed. The methods concern the Crack Growth Resistance (R-curve), the Crack Opening Displacement (COD), and the J-integral. An analysis of the shortcomings of the methods described makes it possible to formulate a new definition of fracture toughness appropriate to semi-brittle fracture. An improved simple experimental method for measuring fracture toughness for semi-brittle fracture is proposed which takes into account both crack growth and plastic nonlinear effects at crack front. The proposed method is shown to be free of the theoretical and experimental discrepancies encountered in the R-curve, COD, and J-integral methods.

Eftis, J.↗
NASA NTRS1977

Sharply notch cylindrical tension specimen for screening plane-strain fracture toughness. I - Influence of fundamental testing variables on notch strength. II Applications in aluminum alloy quality assurance of fracture toughness

A description is presented of studies which have been conducted to establish an improved technology base for a use of the sharply notched cylindrical specimen in quality assurance tests of aluminum alloy products. The results are presented of an investigation of fundamental variables associated with specimen preparation and testing, taking into account the influence of the notch root radius, the eccentricity of loading, the specimen diameter, and the notch depth on the sharp notch strength. Attention is given to the statistical procedures which are necessary to establish correlations between the sharp notch strength and the plane-strain fracture toughness for high-strength aluminum alloys.

Jones, M. H.↗
NASA NTRS1969

Plane strain fracture toughness.

Plane strain fracture toughness determined for crack notched bend specimens using standard test procedure for specific metallic material property

Srawley, J. E.↗
NASA NTRS1983

Strength and fracture toughness of reaction-bonded Si3N4

Fracture strength and fracture toughness measurements were made on reaction-bonded Si3N4 materials with a range of alpha/beta ratios. The results do not indicate any clear relation between the modulus of rupture and the alpha/beta ratio over the range 1.5-9. Values for the modulus of rupture range from 219 to 290 MN per sq m, with an overall average of 238 MN per sq m. The notched beam fracture toughness is found to be constant over the range of microstructures produced, indicating that of the various microstructural features (e.g., alpha/beta ratio and pore size and distribution) no single element has a controlling influence over fracture toughness and the fracture surface energy.

Danforth, S. C.↗
NASA NTRS2005

Fracture Toughness in Advanced Monolithic Ceramics - SEPB Versus SEVENB Methods

Fracture toughness of a total of 13 advanced monolithic ceramics including silicon nitrides, silicon carbide, aluminas, and glass ceramic was determined at ambient temperature by using both single edge precracked beam (SEPB) and single edge v-notched beam (SEVNB) methods. Relatively good agreement in fracture toughness between the two methods was observed for advanced ceramics with flat R-curves; whereas, poor agreement in fracture toughness was seen for materials with rising R-curves. The discrepancy in fracture toughness between the two methods was due to stable crack growth with crack closure forces acting in the wake region of cracks even in SEVNB test specimens. The effect of discrepancy in fracture toughness was analyzed in terms of microstructural feature (grain size and shape), toughening exponent, and stable crack growth determined using back-face strain gaging.

Choi, S. R.↗
NASA NTRS2006

Assessments of Fracture Toughness of Monolithic Ceramics-SEPB Versus SEVNB Methods

Fracture toughness of a total of 13 advanced monolithic ceramics including silicon nitrides, silicon carbide, aluminas, and glass ceramic was determined at ambient temperature by using both single edge precracked beam (SEPB) and single edge v-notched beam (SEVNB) methods. Relatively good agreement in fracture toughness between the two methods was observed for advanced ceramics with flat R-curves; whereas, poor agreement in fracture toughness was seen for materials with rising R-curves. The discrepancy in fracture toughness between the two methods was due to stable crack growth with crack closure forces acting in the wake region of cracks even in SEVNB test specimens. The effect of discrepancy in fracture toughness was analyzed in terms of microstructural feature (grain size and shape), toughening exponent in R-curve, and stable crack growth determined using back-face strain gaging.

Choi, Sung R.↗
NASA NTRS1980

On the feasibility of quantitative ultrasonic determination of fracture toughness: A literature review

The three main topics covered are: (1) fracture toughness and microstructure, (2) quantitative ultrasonic and microstructure; and (3) scattering and related mathematical methods. Literature in these areas is reviewed to give insight to the search of a theoretical foundation for quantitative ultrasonic measurement of fracture toughness. The literature review shows that fracture toughness is inherently related to the microstructure and in particular, it depends upon the spacing of inclusions or second particles and the aspect ratio of second phase particles. There are indications that ultrasonic velocity attenuation measurements can be used to determine fracture toughness. The leads to a review of the mathematical models available in solving boundary value problems related to microstructural factors that govern facture toughness and wave motion. A framework towards the theoretical study for the quantitative determination of fracture toughness is described and suggestions for future research are proposed.

Fu, L. S.↗
NASA NTRS1988

Microstructural effects on fracture toughness of polycrystalline ceramics in combined mode I and mode II loading

Fracture toughness of polycrystalline alumina and ceria partially-stabilized tetragonal zirconia (CeO2-TZP) ceramics were assessed in combined mode I and mode II loading using precracked disk specimens in diametral compression. Stress states ranging from pure mode I, combined mode I and mode II, and pure mode II were obtained by aligning the center crack at specific angles relative to the loading diameter. The resulting mixed-mode fracture toughness envelope showed significant deviation to higher fracture toughness in mode II relative to the predictions of the linear elastic fracture mechanics theory. Critical comparison with corresponding results on soda-lime glass and fracture surface observations showed that crack surface resistance arising from grain interlocking and abrasion was the main source of the increased fracture toughness in mode II loading of the polycrystalline ceramics. The normalized fracture toughness for pure mode II loading, (KII/KIc), increased with increasing grain size for the CeO2-TZP ceramics. Quantitative fractography confirmed an increased percentage of transgranular fracture of the grains in mode II loading.

Singh, D.↗
NASA NTRS1977

A joint fracture toughness evaluation of hot-pressed beryllium

Fracture toughness tests at room temperature were made on three-point bend specimens cut from hot-pressed beryllium obtained from two suppliers. The test specimens had dimensions conforming to ASTM fracture toughness standard E399-72. A total of 42 specimens were machined from each batch of material. Six specimens from each batch were then distributed to seven independent laboratories for testing. The test data from the laboratories were collected and analyzed for differences between the laboratories and the two batches of material. It is concluded that ASTM 399-72 can be used as a valid test procedure for determining the fracture toughness of beryllium, providing that Kf(max) in fatigue cracking could be up to 80 percent of the K(0) value.

Conrad, H.↗
NASA NTRS1980

Fracture toughness of silicon

The paper presents a study to determine the fracture toughness and to characterize fracture modes of silicon as a function of the orientation of single-crystal and polycrystalline material. It is shown that bar specimens cracked by Knoop microhardness indentation and tested to fracture under four-point bending at room temperature were used to determine the fracture toughness values. It is found that the lowest fracture toughness value of single crystal silicon was 0.82 MN/m to the 3/2 in the 111 plane type orientation, although the difference in values in the 111, 110, and 100 planes was small.

Chen, C. P.↗
NASA NTRS1972

Correcting for nonlinear effects in fracture toughness testing.

Expressions for fracture toughness, which include nonlinear effects due to crack front plastic yield and possible small crack extension prior to fracture instability, are obtained for several test specimen configurations. Inclusion of such effects is based on a simple compliance type determination of the total energy rate at onset of fast fracture.

Liebowitz, H.↗
NASA NTRS1992

Fracture toughness testing of polymer matrix composites

A review of the interlaminar fracture indicates that a standard specimen geometry is needed to obtain consistent fracture toughness measurements in polymer matrix composites. In general, the variability of measured toughness values increases as the toughness of the material increases. This variability could be caused by incorrect sizing of test specimens and/or inconsistent data reduction procedures. A standard data reduction procedure is therefore needed as well, particularly for the tougher materials. Little work has been reported on the effects of fiber orientation, fiber architecture, fiber surface treatment or interlaminar fracture toughness, and the mechanisms by which the fibers increase fracture toughness are not well understood. The little data that is available indicates that woven fiber reinforcement and fiber sizings can significantly increase interlaminar fracture toughness.

Grady, Joseph E.↗
NASA NTRS1993

Fracture Toughness of PMMA as Measured with Indentation Cracks

Fracture toughness of polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) was evaluated with indentation cracks. The cracks were developed by indenting in a liquid acetone environment, as suggested by previous researchers. Due to the inconsistency in crack configurations with varying indentation loads and to the negligible residual stress from indentation, the application of the indentation strength method was limited in evaluating fracture toughness of PMMA. The semi-elliptical crack approximation, however, particularly at a low indentation load of 9.8 N, resulted in reasonable agreement with the value determined by three conventional fracture toughness testings using the compact tension (CT), double cantilever beam (DCB), and single edge notched beam (SENB) specimens. Measurements at other indentation load typically were in poor agreement with conventional methods due to poorly developed crack configurations.

Choi, S. R.↗
NASA NTRS2012

Comparison of Intralaminar and Interlaminar Mode-I Fracture Toughness of Unidirectional IM7/8552 Graphite/Epoxy Composite

The intralaminar and interlaminar mode-I fracture-toughness of a unidirectional IM7/8552 graphite/epoxy composite were measured using compact tension (CT) and double cantilever beam (DCB) test specimens, respectively. Two starter crack geometries were considered for both the CT and DCB specimen configurations. In the first case, starter cracks were produced by 12.5 micron thick, Teflon film inserts. In the second case, considerably sharper starter cracks were produced by fatigue precracking. For each specimen configuration, use of the Teflon film starter cracks resulted in initially unstable crack growth and artificially high initiation fracture-toughness values. Conversely, specimens with fatigue precracks exhibited stable growth onset and lower initiation fracture toughness. For CT and DCB specimens with fatigue precracks, the intralaminar and interlaminar initiation fracture toughnesses were approximately equal. However, during propagation, the CT specimens exhibited more extensive fiber bridging, and rapidly increasing R-curve behavior as compared to the DCB specimens. Observations of initiation and propagation of intralaminar and interlaminar fracture, and the measurements of fracture toughness, were supported by fractographic analysis using scanning electron microscopy.

Czabaj, Michael W.↗
NASA NTRS1975

On fracture toughness in the nonlinear range

A general definition of fracture toughness is developed which is appropriate to situations of subcritical crack growth and/or large-scale crack border plastic yield. The theoretical basis as well as comparisons with other proposed measures of fracture toughness are discussed. A simple method is given for evaluating fracture toughness which is based on use of the load-displacement test record.

Eftis, J.↗