a b s t r a c tA dislocation-density-based multiple-slip crystalline plasticity formulation, and an overlapping fracture method were used to investigate the effects of carbide precipitates, M 23 C 6 , and martensitic block size on dynamic fracture in martensitic steels. The interrelated effects of dislocation-density evolution, orientation relations (ORs), adiabatic heating, and heat conduction on fracture behavior were investigated. Precipitates interfaces are shown to be the sites of crack nucleation due to dislocation-density impedance. Dislocation-densities are also shown to relieve tensile stresses and blunt crack propagation. These predictions indicate that the size refinement of martensitic blocks increases crack deflection at block/packet boundaries, which can significantly improve fracture toughness.