Large Dataset Assessment of the Upper Shelf Master Curve Model

In 2006, EricksonKirk and EricksonKirk proposed a model describing a temperature dependence for upper shelf fracture toughness (J_Ic), based on the Zerilli-Armstrong (ZA) temperature dependence of the flow stress, that was common to the large number of ferritic steel datasets studied. The equation describing the temperature dependence of J_Ic was found to be a simple scalar multiple of the temperature dependence predicted by ZA for flow stress. Since that time a large dataset has been developed containing many experimental measurements of J_Ic for the purpose assessing and refining the previously proposed model. The new data, reported herein, validates the previously proposed model of J_Ic temperature dependence but suggests that revisions of the previously proposed model of J_Ic uncertainty are needed to ensure the applicability of the model to both low and high fracture toughness steels.