K,, TRANSITION-TEMPERATURE BEHAVIOR

OF A517-F STEELS

INTRODUCTION
Dunrrao the past several years, Kle values have been d&mined for numerous ultra-
high-strength steels (yield strengths > 200 ksi) [ l-31. Most of these K,, tests have
been conducted at room temperature. However, as the use of the KIE approach is
extended to the medium-strength (yiekl strengths of 100-200 ksi) and tow-strength
(yield strengths < 100 ksi) steels that exhibit a ductik-to-brittle transition behavior
with decreasing temperature[4.5], a knowledge of the K,, transition-temperature
behavior of these steels becomes increasingly important. Therefore, to establish the
K,, transition-temperature behavior, slow-bend I& fracture tests were conducted on
A5 17-F steel at temperatures between -320 and +WF. Because the Charpy V-notch
test is widely used for medium- and low-strength steels, standard and fatigue-cracked
Charpy V-notch specimens were also tested in both slow bending and impact to
establish general relations between K,, and Charpy test results.
The present work describes the results of these tests, as well as the results of a
fractographic analysis of the fracture surfaces of the various test specimens. Because the
test methods used to analyze the medium-strength steel used in this investigation may
be applicable to determination of the temperature and strain-rate sensitivity of many
structural steels, general recommendations for analyzing the K,, transition-temperature
behavior of steels are also presented in this paper.

tPrewtcd at the Third National Symposium on Fracture Mechanics, Lehigh University, Bethlehem,
Pa.25-27 August, 1969.
341
342 .I. M. BARSOM and S. T. ROLFE

MATEluALs AND EXPERIMENTAL WORK

Material
The composition of the AS17-F steel used in this investigation is presented in
Table 1. The tensile properties of the l- and 2-in.-thick plates used are presented in
Table 2.
Test specimens
Fatigue-cracked &, bend specimens. Slow-bend fatigue-cracked KIc specimens
were tested in three-point loading accotding to the ASTM Proposed Recommended
Ptactice[6]. The long axis of the specimen was oriented in the fInal roll@ direction
oftheplate,owltheaxisofthtfotiOuccrackwa9oricntedinthetbickaess~tionof
the plate, Fig. 1. Kle tests were conducted on spccimccns from l- and 2-in.-thick plates.
In addition, &ht.-thick & specimens were ma&i& from the central portion of the
2-&thick plates.
Although the Recommended Practice for KIc TestingI6J states that W should be
equal to 28, previous work[4] has indicated that making W > 28 for medium-strength
steelslowerxtbenominalstressatfractureandthusimxeases the KM measurement
capacity, of the specimen. Thus, for the +, 1-, and 2-hr.-thick specimens (B dimension),
thespeamcndepths(W)were3,3,and8h~,respectively.
Charpy V-ndch specimens. Conventional ASTM Standard A370-68, type A,
charpy v-notch 8peckNms [r] were tested. The orientations of the long axis of the
specimens and of the axis of the notches were the dame as those used for the KI, speci-
mens. In addition, to study the e&cts of notch acuity, standard Charpy V-notch
specimenswere fdgwmcked from092 taO49 in. below the notch root on a Manlabs
Fatigue Pre-Crack Machine.
Plane-strain tension specimens. Plane-strain tension-test specimens [8] were
oriented with respect to the plate thickness and the rolling direction as shown in Fig. 2.
Tabk l.Chanr;ulcampoldtbaolASl7-Fc~Plloystc#l-~rcent(H~N0.73B3~)

az$zia c Mn P S Si Ni CU Cr MO V B

0.17 0.88 0911 0.016 622 0.84 0.28 0.52 0.45 o*O4 oao3
C&Z 0.17 od9 0.015 0915 0.19 o-84 0.30 0.52 0.42 0.04 oaO3

%%f
Ra@ancm~ 046 035 0*035 0.040 0.13 0.67 0.12 0.36 0.36 0.02 oao2
W=W 0.22 1.0~ pax MPX 0.37 1.03 0.53 0.79 064 0.09 oaO6

Tahb 2. Tensile properticaofAS17-F 8td(Heot No. 738320)

Plllk Yield stnqth Tcnde Ekm@on Reduction

thicknesr. SptCimUl (0.59bolkot)* s in 1 in.. afar%
w orientation 0 (%I W)
1 Lol&lldid 110 122 18.8 62
TXWUVWW 109 120 19.0 61
2 110 121 20.0 63
104 118 22.0 63
Minimum ASTM 11st
Requirements 100 135 16 45

tRaape.
 Transition-temperature behavior 343

DIRECTIONS IN PLATE
RD-ROLLING DIRECTION
I -PLATE THICKNESS

P/2

SECTIONA-A

Fig. 1. Fotigusaocked slow-bend K,, specimei~.

- I/tG”R (FOUR CORNERS)

/.- t-On&I-S/tS”-./

if
- 0 04o”t 0.001”

I-T
7
Ll
0 I:
:I’ -l
I-O”

4I-
c
0.040” ? O.ooOS”

DIRECTIONS IN PLATE
RO-ROLLING OtRECTlON
t -PLATE THICKNESS

Fig. 2. Plane-strain tension-test specimen.

344 J. M. BARSCM and S. T. ROLFE

The specimen shown in Fig. 2 was mod&d sIightly from the original specimen design
used by clausing(g).

Experimental procedure
KI, bend tests off~~~ue~rac~d specimens. F~e~~k~ KIGspecimens were
tested in three-point bending with a ratio of loading span, S, to specimen width, W,
equal to 4.0. The specimens were 4, 1, and 2 in. thick, and the ratio ofcrack length, a,
to specimen width, W, varhd from 0*25 to 0.4. The spccirncns were fatigu~racked
at room tempemre at maximum nominal stress levels equal to or less than 25 per cent
of the room-temperature O-2per cent o&et yieid strength.
The Klc tests were conducted in the temperature range -320 to -QO”F according to
ASTM procedures. The stress-intensity factor, Kr, m cakAUed from the equation

whereM = appliedbending nnt

a=cracklength
B - spe&ncn thickness
W~s~n~~
Y=f(alW)asgivenio123andf6].
Charpy slow-bend tests. Slow-bend Charpy tests of standard and fatigue-cracked
specimens were conducted at temperatures between -3204F and room temperature.
The tests were perform&l on either a Manlabs S&w Bend Machine or a 15,~lb
capacity In&on testing machine. The crosshead speed used was 0*025in.tmin with
the Manlabs machine and 042Oin./min with the Instron machine. The crosshead
motion in the tests conducted on the Instron machine was measured with a dial hldica-
tor. These rn~u~rn~~ were used to determine the dispkrccment of the Charpy V-
notch specimens as a function of applied load at various tempemWes.
The energy absorption, lateral expansion, and per cent fibrous fractta; were
measured as tinctions of temperature. The energy absorption for the specimens tested
in slow be&ii on the Manlabs machine was obtained directly fForn the output of the
instrument. For the specimens tested on the Instron machine, the energy absorption
was obtained by integrating the load-deilection curve. At each test temperature, the
values of the energy absorption as measured on both machines were within 5 per cent
of each other.
Charpy impact tests. impact tests were conducted at various temperatures on both
standard Chaxpy V-notch and fatigue-cracked specimens. The energy absorption,
lateral expansion, and per cent fibrous flra;ttue were measured as functiens of tempera-
ture.
Plane-strain tension tests. The plane-strain tension specimens were tested in a
15,000-Ib-capacity Instron Machine. One end of the specimen was attached to a
spherical seat and the other end was connected to the load cell. Tests were conducted
at various temperaturesin a manner sin&r to that described by Ciauaing[8].
The true strain at fracture,Q,was calculatedfrom the equation
 Tnmsition-temperature behavior 345

where TO= initial thickness of the reduced section

T = thickness of the minimum section in the plane-strain region at the instant
of fracture.
Because the thickness of the minimum section at the instant of fracture could not be
measured, this value was obtained by extrapolating the true-strain vs. post-yield-dis-
placement curve[g). The extrapolation was made to account for the further reduction
in thickness accompanying the crosshead motion beyond the final thickness measure-
ment and to the instant at which fracture occurred. The crosshead displacement that
occurred between these two events was always less than 0.002 in.

Fractographic analysis
After testing, selected fatigue-cracked bend specimens, slow-bend Charpy V-
notch specimens, and fatigue-cracked Charpy specimens were transferred immediately
to a methyl alcohol bath for subsequent fractographic study.
For both the K,, specimens and the Charpy specimens, a fractographic analysis of
the center of the region adjoining the fatigue crack was made. The Charpy specimens
were replicated by using the direct carbon technique. Because of their large dimensions,
the K,, specimens were replicated by using the plastic-carbon two-stage technique.

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

KIe transition-temperature behavior
The Kn test rcsu1t.s as a function of temperature are shown for AS 17-F steel in
Fig. 3. Most data points satisfy the ASTM requirement for minimum specimen thick-
ness in plaue-strain crack-toughness testiug[6) given by the equation

where B = specimen thickness

a = crack length
a, = 0.2 per cent yield strength at the test temperature (Fig. 14, [lo]).
This ASTM requirement can be expressed in terms of Irwin’s plane-strain fi value,
as follows [9]:

All data points in Fig. 3 define a single, common timction, regardless of whether the
points were obtained fnnn tests that satistied the criterion of @= O-4or less. In addition,
themPximumloadrrt~nfor~dotopointsshowninFig.3was~theASTM
5-per cent secant-intercept requirement for plane-strain behavior. Because the values
sat&&d all ASTM requiremeuts for plane-strain behavior except the fi criterion, and
bccsustalldatapoinu,dcfineasinglt,common~~n,itwouldappearthatalldata
points are valid KIC values. Thus, the curve deflaed by these data points demonstrates
that a KI, temperatut transition exists that is independent of specimen geometry; that
is, the rate of increase in K,, w&h temperature does not remain constant but increases
markedly in the temperature range -150 to -100°F. As will be shown later by fracto-
 J. M. BARSOM and S. T. ROLFE

US-

0 I/2-INCH-THICK SPECIMENS
Ix)- 0 IO -lNCWTHiCK SPECIMENS
A OO-INCH-THICK SPECIMENS

135 -
/
AA
I;3 EO- /
/9=0.4 FOR 2-lNCWfHICK
1’ lO3- SPECIMEN

*’
Y SO- A'
p’a
: - fia0.4 FOR I-INCH-THICK SPECIMEN
3 IS-
V’B
B 8 /a

; SO- 0 CJbO.4 FOR I/2-MCY-TH1CK SPCCllKN

:
3 45-
c
s
E 30-

IS
t
01 I I I I I 1 I I
-350 -300 -2SO -200 -Isa -100 -SC 0 +SO

TEMPERATURE, P

Fig. 3. P~sminfkctura~~tnnritian~~asrrttnctiondtampsroturr.

graphic analysis, this transition is asso&t& with onset of change in microscopic

fracture mode.
Figure 4 shows the variation of the parameter (K&,)g, which is proportional to
the plastic-zone size, as a function of tempetature. Above -40”F, the magnitude of the
plastic zone appears to increase asymptotically. This behavior indicates that valid Klc
values probably cannot be obtained at temperatures greater than 4tPF regardless of
specimen size.
Additional analysis of the data presented in Fig. 3 indicates that plane-strain
behaviorexistsfor/3 = O-&orvPaientheconstant,2.5,in(3)idequrlto-l.6.A~~
that valid K,, values can be obtained for AS 17-F steel when

then the K, values obtained from bin.-thick specimens should be intluenced by two
transitions in fracture behavior in the temperature range -150 c T < -1WF. That is,
both a Klc ttmpm&w tmaaition and a tram&ion from plane-strain to p&ne-stress
conditions should aSect the value of the stress&Men&y factor caku&&dfor~.-thick
specimens tested in the temperature range -150 c T c -1WF. Under the combined
effects of both transitions, the rate of change of KCas a function of temperutum should
be~thantherateshowninFig.3.Thedrrtaobtained~mCin.-thicLspscimens,
Fii 5, substantiate this assumption. Although the thickness requircmeat for valid Kfc
testing was not s&i&d by the +in.-thick specimens tested in the temperature rat@e
 Transition-temperature behavior 341

4-

I2 -

I.0 -

il
l.6 -

16 -

0
14 -

2,
0 O 0

Ii? - OO
0
0

8, ( ,
a
-35 0 -300 -250 -200 -134 400 -30 00

TEMPERATURE. F

Fig. 4. Variation of plastic-zate-site with temperature.

- 150 < T < - 100, maximum load at fracture for all of these specimens was within the
5 per cent secant intercept. Furthermore, these specimens failed catastrophically.
Approximate vahtes of K,, were calculated from the plane-stress results obtained
on &in.-thick specimens by using the equation [9]:

K: = K&[ 1+ 1.4/33 (6)

where

The calculated K,, values agree quite well with those obtained from l- and 2-in.-thick
specimens, Fig. 5.
Photographs of the fracture surfaces of specimens tested at various temperatures
are presented in Fig. 6. The roughness of the fracture surfaces and the shear-lip thick-
nesses increased with increasing temperature.
At temperatures above -WF, valid K,, values according to ASTM[6] were not
obtained. Although the thickness dimension for the 2-in.-thick specimens was sufficient
for valid K,, testing, all K,, bend specimens tested above -40°F failed gradually at
maximum nominal stress values, Q, greater than the O-2per cent offset yield strength,
u,, and without exhibiting an instability. This behavior was observed even though
348 .I. M. BARSOM and S. T. ROLFE

DATA FROM l/2-INCH-THICK SPECIMENS

--- EXPfRiWfNTAL KIC 1F10.31
V- EXPERtMENTAL KC
0 CALCULATED Kft VALUES
UslNe TM B EQiJATlON

IO-AN0 2 O-INCH-THICK
SPECIMENS

I/2-(NC+THICK SPECIYENS

TEYMRATURL, F

Fii. 5. Eilbctof~tUm on plaaa-r to ptlmo-suau tndion.

the ratio of specimen width to crack len@h, W/u, was equal to 4, which is twice as
huge as the ~~ value recommended by ASTM [61.

ctulrpy f&Wresuits
Standard Chargy V-notch test results. The energy absorption, per cent shear, and
lateral expansion values for slow-bend and impact Charpy V-notch test specimens
are plotted in Fig 7 as a function of test temperature. The energy absorption in the
slow-bend Charpy tests was higher than the energy absorption in the impact Charpy
V-notch tests at temperatures below -50°F; however, at temperatures above -WF,
the reverse was true. The per cent fibrous fracture in the slow-bend tests was always
greater than, or equal to, the values obtamed in the impact tests; however, the lateral
expansion followed the same behavior as that observed for the energy absorption. This
latter observation suggests that the change in energy ~~~~n retlects p~o~~~y
a change in ductity. This change in ductihty with temperature was further ana#yxed
on the basis of the plane-strain tension-test results, to be described in a subsequent
section.
The load-displacement records for the slow-bend Charpy V-notch specimens (as
well as the fatigue-cracked specimens discussed later) exhibited vazyitg amounts of
unstable crack extension during testing up to -WF, Fig. 8. That is, at very low tem-
peratures, the specimen f&d catastrophiiy, whereas in the transition-temperature
range, cracks propagated in an unstable manner for a short distance prior to crack
arrest and subsequent stable crack growth. Ahove -W’F, the load displacement
records exbibited only stable crack growth. Thus, in the temperature range where
-320 P -200 to -150 to -100 to -50 to +75 F
-150 F -100 F -50 F OF
Fig. 6. Fracture smfaces of Ka specimens at various temperatures.

lb

I2 O-

O-

O-

4 O-

, -2sop , -140 F,
3-
-3l so -MO -eJo -2fxl 450 -IW -Jo 0 au
TEW’ERATURE, F
Fig. 12. F mctogaphs of K,< specimens at various tempctatures.

[Facing pugr 3481

 Transition-temperature behavior

0 IMPAC1
A SLOW SEND

% 60

ii 60

a. 40

% 20
Y

0
-350
TEMPERATJJRE. F

Fig. 7. Chapy V-notch enetgy abmptkm, lateral expamicm, and lbuus fdcture
for impact and slow-bed teats of stand8rd CVN specimen.

valid KI, rcsufts were oh&d, the total slow-bend Charpy energy (area under the
load-displacement curve) was prima&y associated with crack initiation rather than
propagation.
The higher strain rate in the impact tests caused about a SOF increase in the transi-
tion temperature, as measured by all tbne Charpy criteria: 15 f&lb energy absorption,
15 mil lateral expansion and 50 per cent 3brous fracture, Fig. 7.
Churpy V-notch test restdtsfor fatigue-cruck~d specimens. The energy absorption,
per cent shear, and lateral expansion for slow-bend and impact Wiguc-cracked Charpy
specimens are shown in Fig. 9. Both the slow-bend and impact fatigue-cracked speci-
mens had a slightly lower shelf energy (when normal&d on a unit-area basis) and a
more sharply d&ned transition temperature than the corresponding standard Chawy
V-notch specimens. Moreover, the fatigue crack appeared to shift the ~~
upper shelf temperature in the impact tests to higher temperatures. As in the standard
Charpy V-notch tests, the energy-absorption behavior appeared to be directly related
to the change in ductility (lateral expansion) as a function of temperature:and strain
rate, Fig. 9.
350 J. M. BARSOM and S. T. ROLFE

STABLE CRACK
n
EXTENSION
“;
e3-
5-
x\
s
-i .-
c / 0’
*.---- i/\
--__ --_._
L /
Y
w UNSTABLE
CRACX
t ‘- EXTLNSION

z
5
~
If
::
4 o- ,I

al I 1 1

-200
I

-130
1

-30
I

0
1

SO loo
-330 -300 -2SO -IO0

TEMPERATURE, F

Fig. 8. VatMion of 1~~~~~~~ fhtigmcracked. sbw-bend Clmrpy

mm*

The same SWF increase in transition temperature, previously observed for the
standard V-notch specimens was also observed for the fatigue-cracked specimens,
Fig. 9. Furthermore, the temperature range over which these transitions occurred
was the same for the fatipcracked specimens and the V-notch specimens. Thus, the
difference in notch acuity between the fatigue cracked and V-notch specimens did not
affect the transition ternary behavior as measured by lateral expansion or per cent
shear. Obviously, the magnitude of absorbed energy for the V-notch specimens was
greater than for the fatigue-cracked specimens.
Plane-strain tension-test results. As shown in Fig. 10, in which the plane-strain
ductility values are plotted as a function of temperature, the plane-strain ductility
increased from a critical strain of O-32 at -32WF to 0*6!!at -50°F. Thus, the plane-
strain ductility as a function of tern~~ genemhy increased with increased tempem-
ture. However, at a temperature corresponding to the Charpy upper shelf, T > -SO F,
the plane-strain ductility reached a maximum and then decreased siighdy. The tempem-
ture dependence of the plane-strain ductility was similar to that observed in lateral-
expansion measurements of Chzwpy specimens, Figs. 7 and 9. Although the reasons
for the decrease in both plane-strain d~tiiity and lateral expansion at temperatures
above -50°F are not known, the similarity in behavior was not unexpected, however,
because the plane-strain ductility and lateral expansion are both measures of plane-
strain fracture strain and, tJuuefore, should be linearly related, Fig 11.
The di!&ence between plane-strain ductility and axisymmetric ductility is shown
in Fig. 10 by comparing the present results with those obtained for AS17-F steel by
~~s~g[lO]. His ~sy~e~ tent-~st data show a 25 per cent increase in
ductility as the temperature is increased from -320 to +7O“F, whereas ttte plane-strain
tension-test data, Fig. 10, show a 100 per cent increase in ductility over the same
temperature range. Moreover, changing from axial symmetry to plane strain seems to
increase the ductility transition temperaturn by more than 150°F.
 Transition-tanperature bebwior 351

N ’ - l IMPACT
c A SLOW BEND
2
; 4-

B
g 3-

::

j 40-

8
B 30-
3
k
w 20-

(’
5 IO-
f-8
a
0

E
= 60-
;
0
j 60 -
s

TEYPERATURIE, F

Fii. 9. Energy abaoaptioe, lateral cxplarion, and fibrous fractum for impact and
slmr-bcnd tests offatigue-cracked CVN spcchnens.

Fractographic analysis
The K,, mults prcscntcd in Fig. 3 demonstrated that a temperatw transition in
KIC exists that is independent of specimen geometry. Also, the fiactm~toughness
tests of C&thick slow-bond specimens, Fig. 5, demonstrated that the plane-strain
tempemuue-transition behavior occurs independently and in addition to the transition
behavior resulting from the transition from plane strain to plane stress conditions.
The Kle transition occurred in the temperature region above about -l!WF, which
corresponds approximately to the beginnmg of the transition observed in the slow-bend
Charpy tests, Figs. 7 and 9, as well as in the plane-strain tension tests, Fig. 10. Con-
sequently, the K,, transition-temperature behavior and the Charpy transitions would
be expected to depend upon the same microscopic &acture mechanisms.
Accordingly, fiactographs of K,, specimens, slow-bend Charpy specimens, and
fatigue-cracked Charpy specimens were obtained at similar test temperatures. A repre-
sentative sample of fracture surface was studied for each specimen, and one or two
fractographs were chosen as representative for each of four different temperatures,
Figs. 12-14. The fractographic analysis showed that in all three tests - Kle, Charpy V-

EFM Vol. 2 No. 4-E

352 J. M. BARSOM and S. T. ROLFE

I .’4-

I.#P-

I.13-

z
z
Q 0.1B-

2 01 E- PLANE-STRAIN
w

E
0.'B-

0.iI-

TEww?*T”REQ.
1 1 I 4 1 I I
I3I
400 -300 +?oo -IO0 F loo 200 300

Fii. 10. Variation of plane-rtminductility and axiaymmetricductility with tapaatunx

notch, and Uigue-crackad Charpy tests- the fkactures at -320°F were 100 per cent
quasiclcavagc and at +75’F were 100 per cent tear dimples. Similarly, the fractures
were approximately 90 per cent quasi-cleavage at -150°F and 90 per cent tear dimples
of specimens
at-SOT. Inthctempcratur4+bw&kMeFature_trPnddtionon,asindicrrtedbyhactogaphs
tested at -lOOT, the microscopic mode of fkacture cOnsisted of a mixture of quasi-
cleavage, tear dimples, and large fiat tsar fkactum areas, Fig 15 Thus, the transition-
temperaanebehaviorinthtKI,~PlbdalsointheC~yt4wJoaAS17-Fsteel
rcflectspr&omk&yatransitionalch~inthemicroscopkmodeofREctwefkom
quasi-c~vageatcry~ttaaperatunstotsar~lcsat~~~.

GENERALDISCUSSION
G metal relation between fracture tests
The critical plane-strain energy-release rate is dated to plagc-strain fracture
toughness by the equation

(7)
 Transition-temperature behavior 353

I I I I I
w) 20 30 40 SO
CHARPY V-NOTCH LATERAL EXPANSION, mtl8
Fii. 11. Rdatien between Chupy V-notch lateral expanskm aDd true fmcturc emin.

where Y is Poisson’s ratio and E is Young’s modulus. Thus, G,, should exhibit the same
temperature transition in the temperature region - 150 < T < -50 as does K,,, Fig. 3.
The functional dependence of G,, on both stress and strain can be presented in the
form

G,,(T) -f[a,(T) *+(Tll (8)

where a,(T) is the yield stress and +(T) is the true strain at fracture, both of which are
functions of the temperature, T.
In the transition-temperature range, the yield stress changes only by 10 ksi with
temperature[lOl, Fig. 16. HOWCVCF, the strain at fracture, eF, as measured either in
the Chsupy test by lateral expansion, Figs. 7 and 9, or in the plane-strain tension test,
Fig. 10, increases markedly with increasing temperature in this range. Therefore,
GI, (and K,) would also be expected to increase markedly in the temperature range
-150 to -WF, as was evidenced by the behavior shown in Fig. 3.
Above about -50 F, where the Charpy specimens exhibit 100 per cent shear frac-
ture, the Charpy lateral expansion and the plane-strain ductility both reach an upper
354 J. M. BARSOM and S. T. ROLFE

KJOI I I I I I I I I
-350 -300 -2so -200 -130 -100 -50 0 l30

TEMPERATURE, F

limit and remain essentially constant. In addition, the yield strength remains essentially
constant. ‘I’berefone, a fracture stress (or strain) intensity factor should also mm&n
essentially constant, acxording to (7) and (sj. This post- upper liit to a fract~
stress (or strain) intensity Wtor-tir example, K,~-pWMbly exists because in all
fmcture tests an upper limit is $enemliy mached. However, in Klc testing, an ‘infkitc~y’
s&up crack is required far a proper linear elastic analysis. At temperatures corre-
sponding to the slow-bend Charpy upper-shelf, however, where the microscopic failure
~eis~e~~andphsticdowcawethe~~cracktoMutrt,
and the linear elastic ana&sis is no longer valid. Because thi& yiek&g occun and
because an elastic-plastic analysis for K& is not currently aWlable, it is dil3cult to
calculate accurate critical stress-intensity f&ctors regardless of the specimen dinken-
sions. However, from an engineering viewpoint, the observed behavior corresponds
to through-thickness yielding before fracture, which is a desired behavior for most
critical structural applications [ 11).

Use of Charpy tests to predict strain-rate effects on Kle

The effW.s of Mgh-strain-me taat* should be independent of specimen geometry
ifcarehasbetntairento~theiaahrenaofthefnertiaeffcetsontfieex~
tal data. For example, high-strain-rate @&g a&x% the yield stress of the material
in the same manner,regard&s of the sizeof the test spechnen. Because the Charpy
impact test is a high-strain-rate test, it should be possible to use the slow-bend and
impact e~e~-~~~~ data presented in Fii. 7 and 9 to predict the dynamic lu,,
behavior fium static lu,, data by shifting the static K,, vaium alon&~the WnperaWre axis
 Transition--behavior 355

by an amount equal to the shift observed between the static and the dynamic Charpy
energy-absorption data For example, at -150°F and at-IOOT, the static Charpy curve
is displaced approximately SOT as a result of high-strain-mtc testing, Figs. 7 and 9.
Below -lWF, the slopes with respect to the temperature axis of both the static and
dynamic Charpy energy curves for A5 17-F steel become very small, and it is, therefore,
difficult to measure the magnitude of the shift between the two curves. Thus, at &se
cryogenic temperatures, it is assumed that the entire static curve is shifted by the same
amount (50°F) as was observed at temperatures above -150°F. An alternative to this
assumption of constant temperature shift of the entire curve may be to apply the 50°F
tcmpcraturc shii in the transition temperature region only. Below the transition
temperature, the predicted curve may be rqrescnted by a line conncctmg the onset
of transition with absolute zero temperature.
By using this assumption, which has been shown to be valid for other steels also[l2],
the predicted dynamic Klc curve as a function of temperature (for strain rates similar
to the rate experienced in the impact Charpy test) is shown in Fii. 17. The prcdkt&
curve agrees quite well with dynamic Kk values obtained by Shoemaker and Rolfe [ 131
on A!517-F steel.

STATIC Krc
PREDICTED DYNAMIC KIC
ACTUAL DYNAMIC )ctc
nE5ULYsb2l

I
-350
I
-300 -250
I
-LOO
I I
-150
I
-lo0
I
-so
I
0
I
i50

TEMPERATURE, F

Fi 17.Prsdictsd~KI,bduviorOfAS17-FB~.

SUMMARY
The results of an investigation to analyze the K,, transition-temperaturebehavior
ofA5 17-F steel may be summarized as follows:
(1) A plane-strain K,, temperature transition was observed for A5 17-F steel that
was related to a change in microscopic mode of failure in a macroscopic plane-strain
stress field.
356 J. M. BARSGM and S. T. ROLFE

(2) As a consequence of the above conclusion, it is apparent that extrapolation of

low-temperature K,c data to temperatures above the Klc transition-kmpemture we
may genera& unrealistically conservative values for general eng&ering pmposes.
(3) The ~~~ crkical-stress intensity, K,, ~i~~~ range was
the same as that de?ined by slow-bend Chakpy tests as well as by the plane-strain
tension test.
(4) In both the Krc tests aud the Charpy tests, the trm&ition-temperature behavior
appeared to be associated with a gra$ual change in the microscopic fracture mechanism,
which was a chat@e from quasi-cWvage type fracture to tear dimples.
(5) Tlk Charpy upper shelf appeared to be a region in which Krc values cannot be
obtained, @ess ofspecimen geometzy, because ofgeneral yield&.
(6) ‘I’be dynamic Klc behavior of AS17-F steel was predicted from static Kle data
by a@sting the latter data along the tern axisbythesameamountthatthe
static charpy energy vahles at8 shifted by high-strkin-raw testing. Thus, the use of the
slow-bend and impact Charpy data in ?he mtmcr discussed above shot&itninitnixe
the need fw dynamic K,, test&j of steels.
In genera& the results of the present hwstigatiun have demonstrated that a tmnsi-
tion in the Klc values of A5 17-F steel doc# exist as a fun&on of tempemtwe and that
the transition observed was not a&c&d by a KIc to K, stress-statetransition. Thus,
extrapoiationof low-temperature Klc test results to higher temperatures predicts values
that may be too conservative for ~ne~e~~~~ purposes.
Acknowfedgemenr-The wthors would like to thank Mr. J. Paulinn fbr his ass&mca iaobtainiqthe
fractosrspbS.

REFERENCES
[I] Frnctun toughness testin@and ita appbations.ASTM Spec. Z’cch.PuM.No. 381(1965).
[Z] W. F. Brown. Jr. and J. E. Smwley, Plane st&n crack toughness testing of b&h-sm meta&
matmials.ASTM Spec. Tech. PI&. No. 410 (1967).
[3] Fad Jaruioa 011 pkutc str& and cork t-s. 71s~ A. Mng, American Society of Testing ud
Mute&&, San Fmncieco, Cuuf (1968).
[4] S. T. Rolfe anal S. R. Novak, Slow-bend KIc testis@of medium-strawth hi#4ou#mess steels. AD
817373L (1967).
[5J H. D. Greenberg, E. 1. Wewe1and W. H. Pryle, Fractum tou&wss of turbine-ttmwatormtor forgings.

[S] ~~8&ausing Effect at piastic-strainstate on ductility and toughness. Inr.J. Fmc. Mech. 6, 1 (1970).
p] G: i. Irwdn. &acture mode tmnaition for a crack traversing a piate. Tmns. ASME, J. Bus. Engng
Trans. ASMED62, pp.417425 (1960).
[lo] D. P. C#ausing, Tensile prop&es of eight con- staeb between 70 and -3WF. J. Mufer.
C2(1%9).
fll] S.T.RoffeandM.Gensamer,F~ toughwas nqttirrrnmts for steds. AD 8359231. (I%%).
[12] 1. M. Barsoa~ and S. ‘I’. Rolfe. Comlations between K,, and Chaw V-notch test resulta in the
transition-tempmaturerange.ASTM Spec. Tech. Publ. No. 466 (1970).
[I31 A. K. Shoemaker and S. T. Rob. The static and dyaamk low-temperaturecrack-tou%ness perform-
ance of seven structuralsteels. Submittedfor publication in Engng Fracture Mrch.

(Receiued 28 Febmuty 19691

B~uN+- La mkhtique des fractures sous traction biastique En&airaa bt$ large-t utiii& Pour abtenir
&a vakws de K,= pour des aciera h r&s haute rbsirtmwe(bite de r&sistance200 kd) et qw ac pdaeatent
g&nClalement
pas un passage ductik B cassant dans le mode d6fectwux en fonction de la tempbature.
Tout&is, &ant don& I’extensioa de l’emploi de I’essai KI, aux Sedersqui -tent un ppsw ductile
 Transition-temperaturebehavior 357

Bcessant, it est n&zest&e d’ttre inform6 sur k comportement des aciers en ce qui conceme les vakurs de
K,, en fonction de k temp6tature. Ainsi, pour 6tablir des relations g&n&aks entre Kc et ks r&uhats de
l’essai de Charpy. &s essais de rupture8 pliage knt. K,, et divers essais de Chatpy ont Ctcconduits sur un
a&r AS 17-F P des temp&atums sita cntre - 320 et + 80°F.
Les r&suitatsindiquaknt qu’il n’y avait pas de passage de K,, en contra&e plane en fonction de la
temp&ature pour Pacier &517-F. En outre, cc pas- se produisait dartsla m&megamme de temperatures
(- 150 B - StPF) comme la transition d&tic par ks r6sultats de I’essai de Charpy B pliage knt pour des
Cprouvettesayant Ctcrompues par fatigue. Dans ks deux essais, celui de Charpy et cehti de Kre. k comporte-
ment de transition par rapportB la temperature sembhrit&trelie B un changement graduel du m6canisme de
rupture microscopique. La partk sup&ieure, commc il est d&ini par ks tests de Charpy P phi lent,
sembkit &re une xone dans laquelk ks valeurs K,, ne pouvaient &e obtenues, quelk que soit la g&ut&rie
de l%prouvette,Bcause du rendement g&n&alet de I’tmoussage de kfente.
On avance un pro&k dans kquel k comportement dynamique K,, dun materiau peut Etre p&vu 1
partirdes don&es statiques d’essai K,, en d&&ant de la m&mequantiti ks valeurs statiques K,, k tong de
hxe des temp&atures, tandis que les vakurs statiques dVnergie de Charpy sent d&plac&spar I’essai de
r6sistance au choc.
En gcncral, ks r&Mats de cette &de ont d&nontr6qu’il existe tme transition du compormment K,, de
l’ackr AS17-F en fonction de la temp&ature et que cette transition est ind&endante de k transition en
&at de tentnonK,, h K,

v- Linear-ekstkche Bn~chmechaniltist vielfbch angewendet worden urnK,, Werte von sehr

hocbfesten St&kn (Stmchgmnzen > 200 ksi) zu erhahen, die im allgemein kein Z&ih-zubrtkhiiUbergangs
verhalten in Abhktgigheit von der Temperatur auf’weisen. Da jedoch die Verwpndung des Kr PMmrgs-
verfahrens auf diejenigen !%I& ausgedebnt wird, dk einen Ziih-zu-brtkbig-Ubergang auf’weisen, sind
Infommtiomm iiber das Kle Ubeqmngstemperaturverhalten von Stiihkn etforderlich. Es wurden daher
LenllaambicpunoIK,, BrwhpMuruen und verschkdene Charpy-Prbfungenan A 5 17-F Stahl bei Tempera-
;tu zwischen - 320 tmd +&o F durchgefiihrt urn eine allgemeine Bexkhung xwischen K* und Charpy
ngrergebnissen aufxustelkn.
Die Ergebnisse deuteten pn, dam ein ebemu Dehnungs K,, TempeMuriiberouro f&r .4517-F Stahl
existiert. Ferner fand dkser Ubergang im gkiihen Temperaturbereich(- 1%)bis -50 F) statt wie der durch
Lanosambiepmo Charpy PriW~~ltatc fii Proben mjt Fatiguebrtkhen defkiette Uw Sowohl in den
KIc ds such in den Cbarpy PrMmgen scbii das Ubergangstemperaturverhahenmit einem aUm&Iichen
Wechsel im mihrosp&opkchen Brudunechanismus in Beziehung xu stehen. Das obem Niveau, durch die
Lm@mn&iegungsChmpy Prbfungen d&&t, schkn eine Zone sein in wekher Krc Werte, umtet der
Ausmasse des PriBlings,infolge a@meiner Nachgiebigheit und Bruchak3tumpf@h nicht erhalten werden
k&men.
Es wird eine Methode worgeschl~, nach welcher das dynamische Klc Verhaitens eines Werkstoffes
aus den statiscbcn K,= PrMungsdaten, durch Verschiebung der statischen K,, Werte eatlaq dcr Tem-
peratumuzhseurnden gkichen Wert wie die stat&turn Cbarpy Energkwette bei der !khkg&igheitspr&fung
vemcboben wet&n. voraus gesapt werden harm.
Im aUmn&ien haben die Ergabniise dkser Untersuchung bewiesen, dam ein Ubergang im K,, Verhalten
von A5 17-F Stahl in Abhgngigheit von der Temperaturexistkrt, und dam dkser Ubergang unabhgngigvom
K,, zu K, SpannungsxustandUbergang ist.