Statistical character of the failure of multiphase materials due to high pressure water jet impingement

In this study, fracture experiments on multiphase material samples have been carried out using high speed water jets. Based on fracture geometry measurements and on grain analyses it was found that the fracture of this type of materials by water jet impingement is a highly localized process at low pressure ranges. Beyond a critical pressure range of about 30 times the material's tensile strength a change in the material behaviour was observed. This result is in agreement with a theory suggested by Powell and Simpson. To explain the local character of the failure process, a simplified fracture model is introduced which resulted in a relation between a fracture probability parameter and the fracture width in the damaged materials.