Application of Microfractography to the Study of Crack Propagation under Fatigue Stresses

摘要

Starting from a variety of observations and hypotheses concerning crack propagation, the possibilities of any macro- and principally micro-fractography to that stage of the fatigue process has been described. Microfractography - the examination of a fracture surface under high and ultra-high magnification by means of an optical or an electron-microscope - makes it possible to study the mechanism of crack propagation under fatigue stresses in relation to external and internal parameters which are otherwise difficult or impossible to observe. Microfractography appears to be particularly suitable for the study of cumulative damage and for the determination of the cause of service failures. (Author)