A two parameter fracture criterion for high strength low carbon steel

Abstract

The critical J integral and crack tip opening displacement, CTOD, at cleavage instability of a low carbon high strength steel were obtained from three point bending specimens with different crack to width ratios (0.04 < a/W < 0.48). The geometry dependence of the elastoplastic toughness parameters has been correlated with the T stress. The obtained results have been explained by means of a local cleavage fracture criterion applied to the brittle to ductile transition behaviour of the steel.