MECHANICAL TESTING LABORATORY

Due to the very large number of tests offered, descriptions of those most commonly requested have been gathered into the following groups:

ASTM E1820 – Standard Test Method for Measurement of Fracture Toughness Plane Stress / Plane Strain

ASTM E1820 testing determines the fracture toughness of metals using the parameters of K, J, and Crack-Tip Opening Displacement (CTOD). The fracture toughness is calculated by taking a fatigued, pre-cracked specimen with a notch and using a double cantilever to push the two sides of the notch away from each other. This allows our technicians to observe how the sample splits. There are three possibilities of how the specimen could split: fracture instability which results in a single point-value of fracture toughness, stable tearing which results in an R-curve, and stable tearing interrupted by fracture instability which results in an R-curve that ends at the point of instability. These values could be used for material comparison by yield strength, selection, and quality assurance. They could also help set a standard for structural flaw assessment.

Please email info@trl.com or call (304) 547-5800 for information regarding test procedures, results, specimen information, pricing or any other ASTM E1820 questions you may have.

Reference: ASTM E1820 – Standard Test Method for Measurement of Fracture Toughness