A study into the crack propagation resistance of pure tungsten

Recrystallized and deformed tungsten were investigated regarding their crack resistance as a function of crack extension. The compact tension specimens were manufactured with different crack plane orientations with respect to the axis of a rod. All recrystallized samples fractured predominantly intergranularly, whereas the deformed samples fractured transgranularly in certain crack propagation directions. Both showed an increase in the fracture resistance with crack extension, i.e. they exhibit R-curve behavior. It was determined in this study that the consolidation of the various fracture planes and crack bridging cause this R-curve behavior in tungsten.