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Fracture transitions in iron: Strain rate and environmental effects

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  21 July 2014

Eric Hintsala*
Affiliation:
Department of Chemical Engineering and Materials Science, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA
Claire Teresi
Affiliation:
Department of Chemical Engineering and Materials Science, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA
Andrew J. Wagner
Affiliation:
Department of Chemical Engineering and Materials Science, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA
K. Andre Mkhoyan
Affiliation:
Department of Chemical Engineering and Materials Science, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA
William Gerberich
Affiliation:
Department of Chemical Engineering and Materials Science, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA
*
a)Address all correspondence to this author. e-mail: hints009@umn.edu
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Abstract

A number of recent mechanical property studies have sought to validate atomistic and multiscale models with matching experimental volumes. One such property is the ductile–brittle transition temperature (DBTT). Currently no model exists that incorporates both external and internal variables in an analytical model to address both length scales and environment. Using thermally activated parameters for dislocation plasticity, the present study attempts a small piece of this. With activation energy and activation volumes previously determined for single and polycrystalline Fe–3% Si, predictions of DBTT both with and without atmospheric hydrogen are made. These are compared with standard fracture toughness measurements similarly for samples both with and without atmospheric hydrogen. In the hydrogen-free samples, average strain rate varied by four orders of magnitude. DBTT shifts are experimentally found and predicted to increase 100 K or more with either increasing strain rate or exposure to hydrogen.

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Articles
Copyright
Copyright © Materials Research Society 2014 

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References

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