Fractographic Evaluation of Potentially Embrittled Steel Components

The primary purpose of fractography is to identify the morphology to help deduce the mechanisms participating in fracture. Confidence in the diagnostic interpretation of fracture features is predicated upon a level of predictability for these characteristics under generally analogous fracture conditions. Fractographic interpretation can be confounded by unexpected brittle features or embrittlement mechanisms which can alter the otherwise predictable behavior of materials. This presentation will discuss some of the considerations in identifying causes for unexpected brittle behavior in steels.