Metals often show quite acceptable properties when small smooth bar specimens are tested in tension at ambient temperature and at slow loading rates. However they fail in a brittle manner when large components are loaded or when the loading is performed at low temperatures or applied rapidly. Susceptibility to brittle fracture is enhanced if notches or other defects are present. Resistance to brittle fracture is commonly referred to as toughness.
Toughness Curve
Metals with a body-centred cubic lattice, e.g. pure iron and ferritic steels have the unfortunate characteristic that their fracture mechanism undergoes a dramatic transition with decreasing temperature from a tough ductile mode in the higher temperature region to a brittle cleavage mode at lower temperatures. Face-centred cubic metals, e.g. copper, aluminium and austenitic steels, do not fail by cleavage under all loading conditions and at all temperatures.
You might also like
 |
 |
 |
 |
Alloy Suppliers
Aluminum
Aluminum Extrusions
Copper-Brass-Bronze
Nickel
Magnets
Stainless Steel
Stainless Steel Tubing
Steel Service Centers
Titanium
Tungsten
Wire Rope