The Ductile-Brittle Transition

The energy required to cause a crack to propagate is different for each material, and can be related to a material's resistance to cracking. In this teaching and learning package you will see how the notched bar impact test can determine a material's resistance to crack propagation. It will also look at the influence of temperature on fracture, and ductile-brittle transitions.

Photograph of notched bar impact test apparatus

Aims Introduction Notched bar impact testing Results Impact energy Ductile-to-brittle transition Summary Questions Going further

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First created: April 2004. "Going further" updated: January 2008.