Brittle fracture is characterized by a rapid
rate of crack propagation with no gross deformation. The
tendency for brittle fracture is increased with decreasing
temperature, increasing strain rate, and triaxial stress conditions
(produced by a notch, pits, .etc). All these
three factors do not have to be present at the same time to produce
brittle fracture. Most failures occur as a result of low
temperature and triaxial state of stress (notches, pitting,
imperfections).
