Toughness and Fatigue Crack Growth Rate of Textured Metals

The influence of anisotropy of crystallographic origin on both fracture toughness and the rate of stage-II ductile fatigue crack growth in textured metals is discussed in terms of a plane-strain small geometry change solution for plastic non-hardening materials (a Prandtl-type slip-line field solution accounting for anisotropy). Results corresponding to FCC or BCC metals sliding, respectively, on {111} 〈110〉 or {110} 〈111〉 systems are presented. Remarkable effects of both texture toughening and fatigue crack growth rate anisotropy are predicted. Stronger effects are anticipated in more anisotropic metals (HCP).