The effect of yield strength mismatch on CTOD and J estimation procedures for weld metal fracture toughness determination

Finite element analyses and experiments were conducted on single edge notch bend fracture toughness specimens with weld metal yield strength mismatch, and J and CTOD values estimated. Weld metal mismatch was achieved by keeping the same weld metal and changing the strength of the parent plate. It is shown that for deeply cracked specimens (a/W = 0.5), the standard (ASTM E1290, BS 7448) estimation procedures for initiation J and CTOD are reasonably accurate (to within {+-}10%) for mismatch levels of {+-}25%. Similar experimental fracture toughness transition curves were obtained for mismatch levels of + 9% and {minus}20%. However, R-curve behavior appeared to be affected by mismatch. For shallow cracked specimens (a/W = 0.1), alternative estimation procedures based on the area under the load versus crack mouth opening displacement curve and appropriate {eta} values are necessary to obtain estimates of J and CTOD. These alternative procedures provide reasonably accurate estimates of initiation J (to {+-}10%) and CTOD ({+-}15%) for mismatch levels of {+-}25 both deep and shallow cracked specimens.