Application of fracture mechanics to the assessment of aluminium weldments

Fracture mechanics tests have been conducted on bend and tension specimens from different aluminum welds to characterize the toughness and the effect of material and mechanical heterogeneity (mismatching). Different mismatch effects on the crack resistance of the welds have been found for deep and shallow cracked components. Consequences for the application of the EPRI engineering approach to the assessment of aluminum welds are derived for the example of double edge crack tension plates.