On estimating the fracture toughness of Al–7Si–Mg alloys by sharp-notch tensile test results

Plane-strain fracture toughness and notch-yield ratio data reported in the literature for Al–7Si–0.6Mg alloy castings were reanalyzed. A new empirical equation was developed to estimate KIc from notch tensile strength. Statistical analysis showed that the distribution of KIc in A357-T6 castings is two-parameter Weibull. By using the moments method to estimate the Weibull modulus, empirical equations for lower bound estimates of KIc were introduced. It is proposed that the empirical equations developed in this study be used to estimate KIc from round sharp-notch tensile test results from Al–7Si–0.6Mg alloy castings.