• Applicability of reduced 3 mm thick miniature C(T) test specimen was researched. • Determination of reference temperature by means of fracture mechanics testing. • FE modelling, microstructural characterization and particle analysis were executed. • Reference temperature was the same, −102°C, for 3 mm and 4 mm thick specimens. • Used methodologies substantiate the similar behavior for both specimen sizes. Enhancement of fracture mechanics small-scale specimen test techniques is important, especially in the nuclear industry for the safe lifetime extension of power plants. Miniature-sized test specimens enable more efficient use of the reducing amount of reactor pressure vessel surveillance reference materials. This paper studies the limits of specimen miniaturization by means of fracture mechanics testing and determination of reference temperature T 0 , supported by microstructural characterization, particle analysis, and Finite Element Modelling (FEM). Tests indicate the same reference temperature T 0 , −102°C, for both the 4 mm and 3 mm thick specimens investigated. Particle distribution analysis showed a statistically sufficient amount of initiating particles in the cross-section of the 3 mm thick specimen. FEM results including comparative analysis of four different specimen thicknesses showed similar stress and strain states in the 3 mm and 4 mm thick specimens. Maximum stress site versus crack initiation location is discussed, as well as the adaptability of ASTM standard E1921 and weakest-link theory regarding the applicability of miniature compact tension specimens with reduced thickness.
Sirkiä et al. (Fri,) studied this question.
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