SEDL / STP / STP601-EB / STP28642S

Applicability of the K^IScc Concept to Very Small Defects

Clark, WG
Fellow engineer, Mechanics Department, Westinghouse Research Laboratories, Pittsburgh, Pa.

Pages: 16    Published: Jan 1976

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Abstract

Stress corrosion threshold (K^Iscc) data were generated for 180 and 215-ksi yield strength Type 4340 steel exposed to a 5 psig hydrogen sulfide gas environment. Tests were conducted with three-point-bend specimens containing both edge cracks and surface cracks ranging from 0.010 to 0.200 in. deep. The effect of defect size on K^Iscc was evaluated and the results compared to K^Iscc data generated with 1-in.-thick compact toughness specimens. Results show that absolute defect size (to as small as 0.010 in. deep) does not impose a limitation on the applicability of linear-elastic fracture mechanics concepts to small defect problems.