Characterization of the fracture toughness of micro-sized tungsten single crystal notched specimens

Fracture experiments using micrometer-sized notched cantilevers were conducted to investigate the possibility of determining fracture mechanical parameters for the semi-brittle material tungsten. The experiments were also used to improve the understanding of semi-brittle fracture processes for which single crystalline tungsten serves as a model material. Due to the large plastic zone in relation to the micrometer sample size, linear elastic fracture mechanics is inapplicable and elastic-plastic fracture mechanics has to be applied. Conditional fracture toughness values J Q were calculated from corrected force vs. displacement diagrams. Crack growth was accessible by direct observation of in-situ experiments as well as with the help of unloading compliances. As a further tool, fracture toughness can be determined via crack tip opening displacement. The micro samples behave more ductile and exhibit higher fracture toughness values compared to macro-sized single crystals and fail by stable crack propagation.