Which type of fracture is most likely to occur in a material with high tensile strength but low ductility?

Explanation:

Brittle Fracture

• Brittle fracture is a type of catastrophic failure that occurs in materials when they break suddenly without significant plastic deformation. It is characterized by a rapid propagation of cracks through the material, often along specific planes or grain boundaries. This type of failure is most common in materials with high tensile strength but low ductility.

Mechanism of Brittle Fracture:

• Brittle fracture typically occurs under tensile stress and is initiated by the formation of cracks at stress concentrations such as defects, voids, or sharp corners in the material. Unlike ductile fracture, which involves substantial plastic deformation, brittle fracture propagates rapidly, often at the speed of sound within the material. The fracture surfaces in brittle failure often exhibit a granular or crystalline appearance, which is indicative of its sudden and brittle nature.

Factors Leading to Brittle Fracture:

• Low Ductility: Materials that lack ductility (such as ceramics, glass, and certain high-strength steels) are more prone to brittle fracture.
• High Tensile Strength: While high tensile strength materials can withstand significant loads, their inability to deform plastically makes them susceptible to crack propagation under stress.
• Low Operating Temperature: Brittle fracture is more likely to occur at low temperatures where materials tend to lose ductility and become more brittle.
• Stress Concentration: Sharp notches, holes, or other geometric irregularities can act as stress concentrators, making the material more vulnerable to brittle failure.
• High Strain Rate: Rapid loading or impact can lead to brittle fracture, as the material does not have sufficient time to deform plastically.