Mechanisms of crack propagation in iron-based porous materials at low temperatures

See adjacent abstract. Study describes the basic fracture micromechanisms of porous materials with dominantly ferritic matrix structures. Quantitative fractography is used to describe the basic mechanisms of crack propagation in the porous body corresponding with the non-monotonous temperature dependence of fracture toughness values. Behaviour of fracture toughness values and relevant fracture micromechanisms indicate, that the state of plane deformation in microvolumes in front of the crack tip cannot be reached at higher porosities and temperatures. This piece of information corresponds to the knowledge of independence of fracture toughness values of porous materials on the specimen thickness.