Abstract
In order to determine the Mode I stress intensity factor ($K_1$) experimentally by means of the alternating current potential drop(ACPD) technique, the change in potential drop due to load for a ferromagnetic material containing a two-dimensional surface crack was examined. The cause of the change in potential drop and the effect of the magnetic flux on the change in potential drop were clarified by using the measuring systems with and without removing the magnetic flux from the circumference of the specimen. To remove the magnetic flux, a new measuring system was made by utilizing the characteristic of coaxial transmission line. The change in potential drop in the case without magnetic flux in the air was caused by the change in electromagnetic properties near the crack tip due to magnetization. The relationship between the change in potential drop and the change in $K_I$ was linealized by demagnetization and was found to be independent of the crack length.