Fracture assessment of graphite components weakened by rounded V-notches and subjected to static multiaxial loading

While a large bulk of experimental results from cracked specimens of polycrystalline graphite under pure modes of loading, in particular under mode I loading, can be found in the literature, only a very limited number of tests have been carried out on notches. At the best of authors' knowledge dealing with the specific case of V-notches under mixed mode loading (tension + torsion) no results can be found in the literature. With the aim to fill this lack, the problem of mixed mode (I+III) brittle fracture of polycrystalline graphite is investigated systematically here for the first time. The present study considers cylindrical specimens weakened by circumferential notches characterized by different acuities. A new complete set of experimental data is provided considering different geometrical configurations by varying the notch opening angle and the notch tip radius. The multiaxial static tests have been performed considering different values of the mode mixity ratio (i.e. the ratio between the nominal stress due to tension and that due to torsion loading). A criterion based on the local Strain Energy Density previously applied by the same authors only to pure modes of loading is extended here to the case of tension and torsion loadings applied in combination. The proposed criterion allows a sound assessment of the fracture loads.