1. Microfractography and macrofractography

1.1 Terminology

Among the many modes of failure in service and manufacturing, sudden brittle or semi-brittle failures, and slow progressive fatigue failures, are the best known in terms of their characteristic profiles. The complexity of other failure modes, derived from corrosion and creep, is increasing with the growing demands of the chemical and thermal industries, where the problems of service life and safety are resolved on a case-by-case basis with the experience acquired.

Many terms are used to characterize fractures, depending on how you look at it. Some are precise (micrographic facies), others less so (ductile or brittle aspect). Table 1 lists the terms generally used.