The effect of specimen thickness on the propagation rate of fatigue cracks can be explained by reference to a model which shows that crack closure is a surface zone phenomenon. The increase of propagation rate upon transition from flat to 45 degree inclined fracture, at low R (ratio of minimum to maximum stress) values, is attributed to fatigue crack closure. It is shown that closure can contribute to the transition from flat to 45 degree fracture. The effect of compressive stress application on crack propagation rate is also explained by crack closure.