Role of microstructure and residual stresses on fatigue crack initiation of carbonitrided steels

In this paper the role of microstructure and residual stresses on fatigue crack initiation of gaseous carbonitrided steels is examined. Optimum for austenite content in the case is investigated for microstructures containing bainite and for those without bainite. Fractographic study suggests subsurface initiation sites for notched specimens when austenite content is high and initiation sites at the surface when austenite is low.