On the development of a relation between fractal dimension and impact toughness

Fractal characterization is an increasingly important method in fractography This paper presents the results of a study made on the relation between the fractal dimensional increment (D-f'), as measured by the slit island technique, and the impact toughness in a commercial medium-carbon ferrite-pearlite steel. Charpy V-notch samples with different thermomechanical treatments were tested at room temperature and demonstrated a positive relation between D-f' and the impact energy. This study includes consideration of fracture micromechanism factors for which D-f' cannot always be positively related. to the toughness. (C) 1997 Elsevier Science Inc., 1997.