ASTM E399-05 - 1.4.2005
 
1. Scope

1.1 This test method covers the determination of fracture toughness (KIc) of metallic materials under predominantly linear-elastic, plane-strain conditions using fatigue precracked specimens having a thickness of 1.6 mm (0.063 in.) or greater subjected to slowly, or in special (elective) cases rapidly, increasing crack-displacement force. Details of test apparatus, specimen configuration, and experimental procedure are given in the Annexes.

Note 1—Plane-strain fracture toughness tests of thinner materials that are sufficiently brittle (see 7.1) can be made using other types of specimens (1).³ There is no standard test method for such thin materials.

1.2 This test method is divided into two parts. The first part gives general recommendations and requirements for KIc testing. The second part consists of Annexes that give specific information on displacement gage and loading fixture design, special requirements for individual specimen configurations, and detailed procedures for fatigue precracking. Additional annexes are provided that give specific procedures for beryllium and rapid-force testing.

1.3 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the standard. The values given in parentheses are for information only.

1.4 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.

 
2. Referenced Documents

E1820-23b

Standard Test Method for Measurement of Fracture Toughness (Includes all amendments and changes 7/14/2023).

E1823-23

Standard Terminology Relating to Fatigue and Fracture Testing

E1921-23b

Standard Test Method for Determination of Reference Temperature, T0, for Ferritic Steels in the Transition Range (Includes all amendments and changes 3/6/2024).

E177-20

Standard Practice for Use of the Terms Precision and Bias in ASTM Test Methods

E8/E8M-24

Standard Test Methods for Tension Testing of Metallic Materials

E456-13a(2022)

Standard Terminology Relating to Quality and Statistics (Includes all amendments and changes 4/21/2022).

B645-21

Standard Practice for Linear-Elastic Plane-Strain Fracture Toughness Testing of Aluminum Alloys

E691-23

Standard Practice for Conducting an Interlaboratory Study to Determine the Precision of a Test Method

E337-15(2023)

Standard Test Method for Measuring Humidity with a Psychrometer (the Measurement of Wet- and Dry-Bulb Temperatures)

B909-21a

Standard Guide for Plane Strain Fracture Toughness Testing of Non-Stress Relieved Aluminum Products (Includes all amendments and changes 12/22/2021).

E4-21

Standard Practices for Force Calibration and Verification of Testing Machines