• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.37 no.3
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• pp.217-222
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• 2005

Objective: To achieve optimal fit of implant, it is necessary to bend the implant during spine surgery. Bending procedure may decrease stiffness of plate especially made of titanium and stainless steel. Typically titanium suffers adverse effects including early crack propagation when it is bent. We investigate whether 6 degree bending of titanium plates would decrease the stiffness after full cyclic loading by comparing with non-bending titanium plates group. Methods: Authors experimented 40 titanium alloy plates of 57mm in length, manufactured by 5 different companies. Total 40 plates were divided into two groups (20 bent plates for experimental group and 20 non-bent plates for control group). Twenty plates of experimental group were bent to 6 degree with 3-point bending technique and verified with image analyzer. Using the electron microscope, we sought for a initial crack before and after 3-point bending. Mechanical testing by means of 6000 cyclic axial-compression loading of 35N in compression with moment arm of 35mm-1.1 Nm was conducted on each plate and followed by the electron microscopic examination to detect crack or fissure on plates. Results: The stiffness was decreased after 6000 cyclic loading, but there was no statistically significant difference in stiffness between experimental and control group. There was no evidence of change in grain structure on the electron microscopic magnification. Conclusion: The titanium cervical plates can be bent to 6 degree without any crack or weakness of plate. We also assume that minimal bending may increase the resistance to fatigue fracture in cervical flexion-extension movement.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Precision Engineering Conference
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• 2002.10a
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• pp.812-815
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• 2002

The shape of K-R curve for an ideally brittle material is flat because the surface energy is an unvaried material property. However, the K-R curve can take on a variety of shapes when nonlinear material behavior accompanies fracture. By the way, a general metallic material is nonlinear, structural steel is such. Therefore, the J-R curve form J-integral value instead of K parameters can be used to evaluate elastic-plastic materials with flaws in terms of ductile fracture that can be significant to design. In this paper, R-curve behaviors form K and J parameter is considered for the precise assessment of fracture analysis, in case of JS-SS400 steels.

• Journal of the Korean Ceramic Society
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• v.30 no.9
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• pp.731-739
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• 1993

R-curve measurements were performed on Al2O3(matrix)-ZrO2-SiC whisker composite and Al2O3-ZrO2, Al2O3-SiC whisker composites in the favor of comparing the effect of ZrO2 and SiC whisker, as a second phase, to Al2O3 matrix. Al2O3-SiC whisker and Al2O3-ZrO2-SiC whisker were fabricated by hot pressing at 1$700^{\circ}C$, 15MPa and Al2O3-ZrO2 by pressureless sintering at 1$600^{\circ}C$. A controlled flaw/strength technique was utilized to determine fracture resistance as a function of crack extension and R-curve behaviour was determined from the relationship which is KR=K0(Δa)m. R-curveresults were KR=6.173$\times$Δa0.031 for Al2O3-ZrO2, KR=18.796$\times$Δa0.172 for Al2O3-SiC whisker and KR=11.96$\times$Δa0.110 for Al2O3-ZrO2-SiC whisker composite. From the analysis of R-curve and expeirmental data above three composites, it is found that R-curve behaviour of Al2O3-ZrO2-SiC whisker composite was dominated initially by the strengthening effect of ZrO2 and after, some extended crack were influenced by the effect of SiC whisker. Analysis of SEM and X-ray data revealed that whisker bridging in the crack wake and whisker pull-out mechanisms were the main mechanism for the R-curve behaviour.

• Nuclear Engineering and Technology
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• v.21 no.3
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• pp.165-170
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• 1989

The strain rate effects on fracture toughness and fracture resistance characteristics of A533B-1 nuclear pressure vessel steels were examined in the quasi-dynamic test conditions through the microscopic investigation of the intense strain region around crack tip and the microroughness of fracture surface. J-value calculated from the recrystallization etch technique was the same as calculated from the modified-J when the crack extension is less than 1.5mm in a 1/2T-CT specimen. Local fracture strain was calculated from the fracture surface micro-roughness. The local strains were calculated to be the values of 1.8 and 2.0 and were much higher than the macroscopically measured values. It was nearly independent on strain rate and was regarded as a material constant in ductile dimpled rupture. The fracture toughness increased with increase in strain rate while the tearing modulus showed little variation.

• Journal of the Korean Society for Precision Engineering
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• v.19 no.9
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• pp.98-105
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• 2002

Some materials exhibit a rising K-R curve, while the K-R curve for other materials is flat. The shape of the K-R curve depends on material behavior and, to a lesser extent, on the configuration of the cracked structure. The K-R curve for an ideally brittle material is flat because the surface energy is an invariant material property. However, the K-R curve can take on a variety of shapes when nonlinear material behavior accompanies fracture. Five different hot-rolled thin plates are tested to investigate K-R curve behavior. A special experimental apparatus is used to prevent specimens from buckling.