EinzelkanteNotchBiegeprobe

EinzelkanteNot, commonly rendered in English as single-edge notch and abbreviated SEN, refers to a fracture-mechanics specimen geometry in which a notch is introduced at a single edge of a rectangular specimen. The geometry is used to study crack initiation and stable crack growth under controlled loading, allowing determination of fracture toughness K_IC or other fracture parameters.

Geometric details: The specimen is a rectangular bar with thickness B and width W, with a notch of length a on one edge. The notch tip is typically sharp and its length is defined relative to the width, a/W. Notches may be produced by milling, EDM, or laser; pre-cracking by fatigue is sometimes applied to convert the notch into a sharp crack prior to testing. Common loading configurations include single-edge notch bending (SENB) and four-point bending, with data reduced using geometry factors to obtain K_IC.

Procedure and data interpretation: The specimen is loaded at a controlled rate until crack initiation occurs at the notch tip. The critical load P_Q or J-integral for tearing can be used to compute K_IC with standard equations that incorporate a/W and the specimen dimensions. Resulting values enable material comparisons and validation of predictive models. Plasticity, notch radius, and material anisotropy may influence results and must be considered when interpreting data.

Applications and scope: SEN geometries are employed across metals, polymers, composites, and ceramics to evaluate fracture toughness, ductile-to-brittle transitions, and flaw tolerance. They are one of several standard test geometries, alongside compact-tension and other notch configurations.

Origin and terminology: The term "EinzelkanteNot" reflects German roots for "single edge" and "notch." In English-language literature the acronym SEN or SENB is more common.