Characteristics of Crack Propagation at the Interface between Two Dissimilar Media.

Abstract

Studies were conducted on specimens of epoxy plates bonded to aluminum plates. The effect of surface roughness of the aluminum on fracture toughness was measured for four different surface finishes. It was found that increased surface roughness resulted in greater fracture toughness. This may be explained by the observation that the interfacial cracks replicated the surface features of the aluminum. Microscopic studies of the failure surfaces indicate that crack propagation occurs in the epoxy near the interface, and that a residue of epoxy remains bonded to the aluminum. The magnitude of the residual stresses due to casting and curing of the epoxy was determined by photoelastic techniques. Methods were developed for analyzing the birefringent pattern in the epoxy to determine the magnitude of the elastic residual stress and the frozen stress. It was found that residual stresses can contribute 15% to 20% of the strain required for crack initiation at the interface.

Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Feb 26, 1975
Accession Number
ADA007293

Entities

People

  • D. R. Mulville

Organizations

  • United States Naval Research Laboratory

Tags

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Aluminum
  • Crack Propagation
  • Cracks
  • Finishes
  • Observation
  • Physical Properties
  • Residual Stress
  • Residuals
  • Roughness
  • Stresses
  • Surface Roughness
  • Toughness

Fields of Study

  • Materials science

Readers

  • Materials Science (Mechanical Engineering).
  • Mechanical Engineering/Mechanics of Materials.
  • Surface Coatings Technology.