Effect of Pulsed Magnetic Field Treatment on the Fracture Resistance of a Cracked Specimen

We present the results of experimental investigations on the evaluation of the effect of pulsed magnetic field treatment of 45 steel cracked specimens on their fracture resistance. Before loading, the specimens were mechanically loaded to the stress level at the crack tip at which the stress intensity factor value is below the critical one. As a result of the treatment by pulsed magnetic field, the stress relaxation occurs in the specimen due to plastic flow at the tip of the crack, which results in its blunting. The test data for the specimens after treatment are indicative of a significant increase in the fracture resistance as compared to the specimens before treatment (i.e., in the initial state).