Brittle and Ductile Fractures

In this chapter, the main characteristics of brittle and ductile fractures, caused by single load application, are described. Each section begins with a description of the macroscopic features that allow for identification of brittle and ductile fractures, and continues with the description of the mechanisms of formation of the fractographic features of each type of fracture. Examples of each described feature are given, as well as the particular aspects of brittle and ductile fractures in non-metallic components.