On Fracture Analysis of Cracked Graphite Components under Mixed Mode Loading

A new approach based on the maximum tangential stress (MTS) criterion has been employed for investigating mixed mode brittle fracture in materials like polycrystalline graphite. The new criterion has been examined using the experimental results reported in the literature for several graphites. The reported experimental data were obtained from fracture tests conducted using the centrally cracked Brazilian disk specimens. It is shown that the values of mixed mode fracture resistance predicted by the new criterion are in good agreement with the experimental results.