Method And Apparatus To Propagate Crack Growth In A Workpiece

摘要

A method and apparatus for forming a starter notch along the length of a work-piece for subsequent fatigue testing. The starter notch is formed with a cutting wire such that it will promote fatigue-cracking in the work-piece in one defined direction and avoids cracking in directions other than the length direction of the starter notch. Improved fatigue-testing analysis may therefore be realized.

主权项

1. A method for forming a starter notch in a work-piece comprising:
providing a cutting wire having a first end portion and a second end portion; supplying said work-piece having a thickness and engaging said work-piece with said cutting wire and forming a starter notch at least partially along the thickness and into said work-piece to define a penetration length direction of said starter notch; wherein said starter notch promotes fatigue-cracking in said work-piece from said notch and in a direction extending along said penetration length wherein said cracking occurs within a region of +/−5 degrees of said penetration length direction of said starter notch and no cracking occurs within the region of greater than 5 degrees to 90 degrees of said penetration length direction of said starter notch.