Time Dependent Fracture Of Materials At Elevated Temperature

Intended for engineers, researchers, and graduate students dealing with materials science, structural design, and nondestructive testing and evaluation, this book represents a continuation of the author's 'Fracture Mechanics' (1997). It will appeal to a variety of audiences: The discussion of design codes and procedures will be of use to practicing engineers, particularly in the nuclear, aerospace, and pipeline industries; the extensive bibliography and discussion of recent results will make it a useful reference for academic researchers; and graduate students will find the clear explanations and worked examples useful for learning the field. The book begins with a general treatment of fracture mechanics in terms of material properties and loading and provides up-to-date reviews of the ductile-brittle transition in steels and of methods for analyzing the risk of fracture. It then discusses the dynamics of fracture and creep in homogeneous and isotropic media, including discussions of high-loading-rate characteristics, the behavior of stationary cracks in elastic media under stress, and the propagation of cracks in elastic media. This is followed by an analysis of creep and crack initiation and propagation, describing, for example, the morphology and incubation times of crack initiation and growth and the effects of high temperatures. The book concludes with treatments of cycling deformation and fatigue, creep-fatigue fractures, and crack initiation and propagation. Problems at the end of each chapter serve to reinforce and test the student's knowledge and to extend some of the discussions in the text. Solutions to half of the problems are provided.

The understanding of time dependent crack propagation processes occupies a central place in the study of fracture. It also encompasses a wide range of conditions: failure under sustained loading in a corrosive environment, fracture under cyclic loading in non-degrading and in corrosive environment, and rupture at high temperature. This list covers probably 90% of the failures that occur in engineering practice. The process of time dependent fracture is controlled by the physics of atomic interaction changes; it is strongly influenced by the micro structure; and affected by the interaction of the material with the mechanical (load, displacement), the thermal (temperature), and the chemical or radiation environment. To be able to control crack propagation the development of testing methods and the understanding of the industrial environment is essential. The conference was organized in this context. A call was issued for contributions to the following topics. THERMAL ACTIVATION. Theoretical papers dealing with the modification of fracture mechanics to accommodate thermally activated processes. TIME DEPENDENT MICRO-PROCESSES. Presentations covering both the theoretical and observational aspects of creep and fatigue damage in materials whose microstructures may exert a significant influence on crack growth. INDUSTRIAL APPLICATIONS. Submissions describing the practical application of fracture mechanics and damage tolerance analysis to the determination of useful operating lives. x ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS. Papers dealing with engineering materials and/or components exposed to aggressive environments, with and without temperature effects. The response was gratifying. Leading experts responded; the organizers of the conference are grateful for the large number of excellent contributions.