Intergranular fracture in cleavage fracture temperature range

Abstract

The fracture of α iron and C–Mn submerged arc weld metal at temperatures below the brittle–ductile transition temperature is examined. The probability of intergranular fracture occurring in a regime where cleavage fracture is observed is considered with respect to simple theoretical arguments that take into account the geometry of grains and the relative energy of the two fracture processes. The experimental observations are examined in relation to the predictions of these arguments. Simple geometrical arguments demonstrate that a small proportion of intergranular fracture is expected to accompany cleavage fracture in most specimens of polycrystalline α iron and ferritic steels fractured at temperatures below the brittle–ductile transition temperature.

MST/1943