On the formation mechanisms of fine granular area (FGA) on the fracture surface for high strength steels in the VHCF regime

The fine granular area (FGA) plays a crucial role in the VHCF regime. However, so far, the uniform understanding or conclusion about the formation mechanism of FGA has not been drawn. In view of the significance of FGA, the current studies on FGA, i.e., the FGA size, the stress intensity factor range at the periphery of FGA, the crack initiation and growth process in FGA, and the formation mechanisms of FGA, are reviewed in the present paper. The role of internal hydrogen in the VHCF regime is further discussed. In the end, two important definite conclusions are drawn based on the present investigations. (C) 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.