Experimental investigations of the influence of material and thickness on fracture under pure mode II loading

Experimental investigation to the effects of thickness and material on mode II fracture were performed. Tension-shear specimens made of aluminium alloy LC4CS and 7050-T7452 with thicknesses of 2, 4, 8 and 14 mm were used. All crack tip appearances and fracture profiles of the specimens were observed. Mode II fracture toughness were calculated. It is shown that material and thickness play an important role in mode II fracture. The fracture of LC4CS appears shear fracture under all kinds of thicknesses, however the fracture of 7050-T7452 is tensile fracture when thickness is larger or equal to 8mm, and shear initiation along the original crack plane, then turnaround and tensile failure when thickness is smaller than 8mm. Mode II fracture toughness is independent of thickness.