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Crack arrestor

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In materials science and material fatigue, a crack arrestor or rip-stop doubler is a structurally strong ring or strip of material which serves to contain stress cracking that could lead to catastrophic failure of a device.

The crack arrestor can be as simple as a thickened region of metal, or may be constructed of a laminated or woven material that can withstand deformation without failure.

Crack arrestors were used to reinforce the airplane hull of the De Havilland Comet following a series of catastrophic accidents related to structural design problems that were previously unknown.