Past exam of the materials science course of the University of Cambridge / 2018 / Paper 1 / 5 / d / i / Solution

For the aluminium alloy, write $K_{IC,\mathrm{Al}}$ and ${\sigma }_{y,\mathrm{Al}}$ for the appropriate data-book properties at the relevant material state and temperature. The yield-limited screening bounds from part(c), with $r\simeq 0.70\mathrm{m}$, areFor $K$ in $\mathrm{MPa}\sqrt{\mathrm{m}}$ and ${\sigma }_y$ in $\mathrm{MPa}$, the numerical substitutions are $t_{\max }(\mathrm{mm})=318.31[K/(Y{\sigma }_y){]}^2$ and $t_{\mathrm{yield}}(\mathrm{mm})=7000/{\sigma }_y$.

A high-strength alloy's large yield stress can require a small allowable leak-before-break thickness even when its minimum pressure thickness is modest. FCC structure generally favors low-temperature plasticity, but does not by itself establish the alloy's fracture toughness, weld performance, corrosion behavior or fatigue resistance.

TODO: exact numerical thickness pending the identified 2018 NST Data Book values and alloy condition. The accessible Engineering2011/revised2019 book is not confirmed as the supplied edition; generic aluminium property ranges are not substituted as if they were the exam's values.