Effect of specimen pre-cracking method on Delayed Hydride Cracking Rate

Crack propagation rate by the process known as Delayed Hydride Cracking (DHC) is usually assessed in pressure tube materials. Curved Compact Toughness specimens are fatigue pre-cracked previous to DHC test. This work explores the validity of specimen pre-cracking by the same DHC process. It was demonstrated that crack velocity is not affected by the pre-cracking method. Results are compared with values obtained by using not pre-cracked specimens.