Determination of fracture mechanics
Universal testing machine inspekt 100 kN
Background and objective
Components may already show cracks or other material defects during production. In order to prevent failure, static tests are carried out on deeply cracked specimens. These tests allow the fracture toughness to be determined and help to analyze controlled crack growth and initiate appropriate maintenance or repair measures.
Test system and equipment
The test procedure is carried out using the inspekt 100 kN universal testing machines, for example. These testing machines are equipped with the following components:
- Temperature chamber with a range from -70°C to +350°C
- High-temperature clip-on extensometer for precise measurements
- Possibility of using one or two testing machines for extended tests
This system guarantees standard-compliant testing of fracture mechanics.
Standards for fracture mechanics testing
The methods for determining fracture mechanics are defined in the following standards:
- ASTM E 399 - Standard Test Method for Linear Elastic Plane Strain Fracture Toughness KIC of Metallic Materials
- ASTM E1820 - Standard test method for the measurement of fracture toughness
- ISO 12135 - Metallic materials: Standardized test method for the determination of quasi-static fracture toughness
These test methods provide important information for material evaluation and enable reliable material selection for safety-critical applications.