ISSN: 0090-3973
Page Count: 7

Finite Element Analysis and Small Punch Testing for Determining the Cryogenic Fracture Toughness of Austenitic Stainless Steel Welds

Shindo, Y
Tohoku University,

Horiguchi, K
Tohoku University,

Sugo, T
Tohoku University,

Mano, Y
Tohoku University,

(Received 14 March 2000; accepted 7 August 2000)

Abstract

The small punch (SP) test has been used successfully to characterize the elastic-plastic fracture toughness (JIC) of structural alloys and weldments for superconducting magnets in fusion energy systems with thin plate specimens of 10 by 10 by 0.5 mm. This study was performed to demonstrate the feasibility of performing SP tests on austenitic stainless steels and their welds at liq uid helium temperature (4 K). Correlations between SP energy, equivalent fracture strain, and JIC were assessed. All JIC data were obtained using 25 mm thick compact specimens that followed the standard test method for JIC. A finite element analysis was also performed to convert the experimentally measured load-displacement data into useful engineering information. The maximum strain en ergy density was calculated and correlated with JIC.

Keywords:
cryomechanics, finite element analysis, small punch testing, austenitic stainless steels, welds, fracture toughness, liquid helium temperature

Paper ID: JTE12133J
DOI: 10.1520/JTE12133J
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