Dynamic observations of the fracture phenomena in alpha/beta brass two-phase bicrystals

In situ dynamic observations of the deformation and fracture characteristics of alpha/beta brass two-phase bicrystals were made by the solid diffusion method. The results indicated clearly that the crack initiation site was at the interface. The crack propagation direction, in both the alpha and beta phases, was found to be orientation dependent. Complementary experiments on alpha and beta brass single crystals confirmed the theories and results obtained previously on ductile single crystals.On leave from the Mechanical Engineering Department, Al-Azhar University, Cairo, Egypt.