Effect of crack blunting in liquid metal environments on K-IEAC determined by the rising load test

Abstract

This article discusses the effects of crack blunting in liquid metal environments on K-IEAC due to the rising load test. There are two techniques frequently employed in the determination of K-IEAC, namely the constant load and constant displacement tests. Although these tests have been used extensively in the past, they require substantially long testing times before reliable K-IEAC values can be obtained. By using environments significantly more aggressive than those encountered in practice, the testing times can be reduced. However, this approach introduces considerable difficulties and uncertainties in the interpretation of data.