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Experimental Determination of Dynamic Crack Initiation and Propagation Fracture Toughness in Thin Aluminum Sheets

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Abstract

An experimental investigation was undertaken to characterize the dynamic fracture characteristics of 2024-T3 aluminum thin sheets ranging in thickness from 1.63–2.54 mm. Specifically, the critical dynamic stress intensity factor Kdc was determined over a wide range of loading rates ( expressed as the time rate of change of the stress intensity factor KdI ) using both a servo- hydraulic loading frame and a split Hopkinson bar in tension. In addition, the dynamic crack propagation toughness, KD, was measured as a function of crack tip speed using high sensitivity strain gages. A dramatic increase in both Kdc and KD was observed with increasing loading rate and crack tip speed, respectively. These relations were found to be independent of specimen thickness over the range of 1.5 to 2.5 mm.

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Owen, D., Zhuang, S., Rosakis, A. et al. Experimental Determination of Dynamic Crack Initiation and Propagation Fracture Toughness in Thin Aluminum Sheets. International Journal of Fracture 90, 153–174 (1998). https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1007439301360

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