SEDL / STP / STP463-EB / STP33666S

Application of Fracture Mechanics Technology to Medium-Strength Steels

Clark, WG
Senior engineer and managerpersonal member, Westinghouse Research LaboratoriesASTM, Pittsburgh, Pa.

Wessel, ET
Senior engineer and managerpersonal member, Westinghouse Research LaboratoriesASTM, Pittsburgh, Pa.

Pages: 28    Published: Jan 1970

Download this paper for $25 PDF (392K)          View License Agreement
Abstract

A review of fracture toughness and fatigue crack growth rate data currently available for medium-strength steels is presented. Data are included for three commonly used structural steels (AISI 1045, 1144, and 4140); two pressure vessel steels (ASTM A533 Grade B, Class 1 and A216 WCC grade); and three grades of rotor forging steels (ASTM A469, Class 4; A470, Class 8; and A471, Class 4). These data clearly illustrate that under conditions of sufficient restraint to ensure plane strain loading, existing linear elastic fracture mechanics technology is applicable to medium-strength steels. The advantages and overall potential of fracture mechanics technology as a quantitative tool for the prevention of failure is demonstrated by means of an example problem.