Abstract:

ESDU 84003 provides constant amplitude crack growth rate data for a wide range of common specifications of high alloy and stainless steels in the form of plate, sheet, bar, castings or forgings. The data were derived from results of tests, drawn from many sources in the literature, made at room temperature in laboratory air and are presented as curves plotted against stress intensity factor range down to threshold values for various values of stress ratio. The chemical composition of the steels and mechanical properties of the test specimens are tabulated, and summary curves show the effects of steel composition on crack growth and of stress ratio on threshold stress intensity factor range. The effect of crack closure in creating an effective stress intensity factor is discussed and another summary graph illustrates the point by showing the variation of threshold stress intensity factor range with maximum stress intensity factor. Other matters discussed are the effects of specimen size, environment, heat treatment, steel composition and stress ratio. Practical worked examples illustrate the use of the data.