After a short review of different experimental methods used for studying the plastic zone ahead of a crack tip, the capabilities of the microhardness method are analyzed in detail. A finite-element calculation, which takes the cyclic hardening of 316 stainless steel into account, permits a thorough study of plastic deformation at the crack tip. The microhardness technique is a good method of studying the shape of the plastic zone and the deformation around the tip of the crack.
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