Fracture is a major cause of failure in metallic and non-metallic materials and structures. An understanding of the micro- and macro- mechanisms of fracture enables materials scientists to develop materials with high fracture resistance, which in turn helps engineers and designers to ensure the soundness and integrity of structures made from these materials.

The International Congress on Fracture is held every four years and is an occasion to take stock of the major achievements in the broad field of fracture, to honour those who have made lasting contributions to this field, and to reflect on the future directions.

ICF9 is published in six volumes covering the areas of:-- Failure Analysis, Remaining Life Assessment, Life Extension and Repair- Failure of Multiphase and Non-Metallic Materials- Fatigue of Metallic and Non-Metallic Materials and Structures- Theoretical and Computational Fracture Mechanics and New Directions- Testing and Characterization Methods, and Interfacial Fracture Mechanics- High Strain Rate Fracture and Impact Mechanics.