The role of notch tip shape and radius on deformation mechanisms of 12Cr1MoV steel under impact loading. Part 1. Energy parameters of fracture

Impact loading curves and fracture energy of the notched 12Cr1MoV ductile steel specimens are analysed. The qualitative description and quantitative parameters are obtained for major stages of ductile and brittle fracture depending on the shape of the notch and the stress stiffness ahead. It was shown that a zone with enhanced plasticity forms in the vicinity of V-, U- and I-shaped notches at 20 °C testing temperature, giving rise to ductile fracture. The stress stiffness at the notch tip increased with testing temperature reduced to −40 °C. We demonstrated that the size of shear lips on a fracture surface is a quantitative characteristic of fracture. Using this approach, which is close by nature to non-linear fracture mechanics, together with the quantitative description of fracture surfaces, a physical–mechanical scheme of the specimen fracture was suggested for the case of enhanced and localized (constrained) plasticity near the stress concentrator tip.