Observations of localized deformation during ductile fracture

Abstract The fracture behavior of a two phase stainless steel has been examined by straining smooth and notch tensile and Charpy impact specimens. The highly directional microstructure which can be easily produced in such materials offers a means of observing the mode of ductile fracture and the localized deformation accompanying the fracture process. The findings indicate that fracture is initiated by the cracking of inclusion particles in regions which underwent heaviest deformation. Voids are seen to grow about the cracked inclusions. Actual fracture progresses by coalescence of adjacent voids by plastic rupture processes. Extremely high localized shear strains were observed at regions near the fracture surfaces.