Brittle fracture: Its study and application

Abstract

Brittle fracture is a challenging problem both from theoretical and experimental viewpoints. Once a crack starts to propagate in a brittle solid its velocity may quickly reach several thousands of metres/sec. Various high resolution techniques including high-speed photography, ultrasonics and electrical methods have been developed for fracture propagation studies. For many brittle solids a maximum crack velocity exists. Crack branching can occur either when a crack reaches a high velocity or when a stress wave passes over it. Brittle fracture is frequently an undesirable event, but there are situations where it has great practical importance. Examples of the beneficial application of fracture are discussed including gem stone cleaving, the interruption of electric current and rock fragmentation.