Fatigue of spot-welded lap joints

The fatigue properties of spot-welded lap joints under a constant mean load made from 1.2 and 3 mm sheet thickness stainless steel with one, two or three-spot welds in series are reported. A log plot of cyclic load range versus fatigue life shows that for given sheet thickness and fixed load range, fatigue life increases with the number of spot welds. Oil has a beneficial effect by increasing the fatigue life of the welded joints. A fracture mechanics analysis is carried out on the data by treating the spot weld as a crack. A log plot of initial stress intensity factor range versus fatigue life is a straight line which is independent of the number of spot welds. However, increasing the sheet thickness shifts the straight line upwards in the log plot, thus indicating a longer fatigue life for the same applied initial stress intensity factor range.     

Fatigue properties of stainless sheet steels in air at room temperature

Abstract

The number of stainless sheet steel applications involving cyclic loading in non-corrosive and mild corrosive environments is increasing. In the present work, the fatigue properties of two austenitic (AISI 301 and AISI 304) and two duplex (Avesta 2205 and SAF 2304) stainless steels have been studied using fully reversed strain controlled testing of smooth specimens in air and at room temperature. Since prestraining is a common operation for increasing the proof stress of austenitic grades, these grades were also tested in the prestrained condition. The fatigue strength has been evaluated as a function of total strain amplitude, plastic strain amplitude, stress amplitude, and using the Neuber parameter.

MST/3155     

Mechanical and Structural Properties of Similar and Dissimilar Steel Joints

The mechanical properties of specimens from similar and dissimilar weld joints were examined. A ferritic steel (St37-2) and an austenitic stainless steel (AISI 304) were joined by the gas tungsten arc weld (GTAW) process using an austenitic filler metal. Mechanical and metallographic properties of the specimens were obtained by means of microhardness testing, tensile testing, bending fatigue testing, and light optical and scanning electron microscopy. The highest microhardness values were recorded on the ferritic–austenitic dissimilar weld joint, whereas the highest tensile strength and bending fatigue life were obtained with the austenitic–austenitic joints. Ferritic and pearlitic structures were observed in the microstructure of the ferritic–ferritic joint. The microstructures of austenitic–austenitic and austenitic–ferritic joints showed small recrystallization grains in addition to the typical austenitic and ferritic structures. Scanning electron microscopy was used to observe the fracture surfaces of the specimens and the origins of the fatigue cracks.     

Fatigue behaviour of AISI 304 steel to AISI 4340 steel welded by friction welding

In the presented study, The weldability of AISI 304 austenitic stainless steel to AISI 4340 steel joined by friction welding in different rotational speeds and fatigue behaviour of friction-welded samples were investigated. Tension tests were applied to welded parts to obtain the strength of the joints. The welding zones were examined by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and analyzed by energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS). The Vıckers microhardness distributions in welding zone were determined. Fatigue tests were performed using a rotational bending fatigue test machine and the fatigue strength has been analysed drawing S-N curves and critically observing fatigue fracture surfaces of the tested samples. The experimental results indicate that mechanical properties and microstructural features are affected significantly by rotation speed and the fatigue strength of friction-welded samples decrease due to chromium carbide precipitation in welding zone with increasing rotation speed in choosen conditions.     

Fracture and strength properties of selected austenitic stainless steels at cryogenic temperatures

Austenitic stainless steels have an excellent combination of mechanical and physical properties for load-bearing structures of large superconducting magnets for plasma containment in magnetic fusion experiments. To assess their relative suitability fracture toughness, fatigue crack growth, and tensile properties data for five austenitic steels at 295, 76, and 4 K have been obtained. The steels were AISI 304, 316, 304LN, and 316LN, and an Fe-21cr-12Ni-5Mn alloy with a higher nitrogen content than the other four grades. The two principal findings were the systematic variation of yield strength with nitrogen content and a systematic inverse correlation between fracture toughness and yield strength. Data from previous studies are reviewed which confirm the trends of the present data.     

Composite-to-metal tubular lap joints: strength and fatigue resistance

The axial strength and fatigue resistance of thick-walled, adhesively bonded E-glass composite-to-aluminum tubular lap joints have been measured for tensile and compressive loadings. The joint specimen bonds a 63 mm OD aluminium tube within each end of a 300 mm long, 6 mm thick E-glass/epoxy tube. Untapered, 12.5 mm thick aluminium adherends were used in all but four of the joint specimens. The aluminum adherends in the remaining four specimens were tapered to a thickness of 1 mm at the inner bond end (the bond end where the aluminum adherend terminates). For all loadings, joint failure initiates at the inner bond end as a crack grows in the adhesive adjacent to the interface. Test results for a tension-tension fatigue loading indicate that fatigue can severely degrade joint performance. Interestingly, measured tensile strength and fatigue resistance for joints with untapered adherends is substantially greater than compressive strength and fatigue resistance.The joint specimen has been analyzed in two different ways: one approach models the adhesive as an uncracked, elastic-perfectly plastic material, while the other approach uses a linear elastic fracture mechanics methodology. Results for the uncracked, elastic-plastic adhesive model indicate that observed bond failure occurs in the region of highest calculated stresses, extensive bond yielding occurs at load levels well below that required to fail the joint, and a tensile peel stress is generated by a compressive joint loading when the aluminum adherends are untapered. This latter result is consistent with the observed joint tensile-compressive strength differential. Results of the linear elastic fracture mechanics analysis of a joint with untapered aluminum adherends are also consistent with the observed differential strength effect since a mode I crack loading is predicted for a compressive joint loading. Calculations and a limited number of tests suggest that it may be possible to selectively control the differential strength effect by tapering the aluminum adherends. The effect of adherend material and thickness on fracture mechanics parameters is also investigated. The paper concludes by examining the applicability of linear elastic fracture mechanics to the joints tested.     

Joining of CP-Ti to 304 stainless steel using friction stir welding technique

Friction stir welding parameters were adjusted in order to achieve defect-free dissimilar lap joint of CP-Ti to 304 stainless steel. Titanium as a softer material was selected to be on the lap top side. The joint stir zone was found to be consisted of two main regions; the dominant fine dynamically re-crystallized titanium grains at the upper region and a minor composite-type microstructure of fragments of 304 stainless steel in a matrix of fine dynamically re-crystallized titanium grains in the lower region. The stir zone was separated from the 304 stainless steel side by an interface layer of TiFe-based crystal structure. Joint shear strength was measured; a maximum failure load of ∼73% of that of CP-Ti was achieved. This was associated with the occurrence of fracture at the joint intermetallic-based interface. The failure load value of the fabricated joints is related to the thickness of the intermetallic interface.     

Transient liquid-phase insert metal bonding of Al2O3 and AISI 304 stainless steel

Transition liquid-phase insert metal bonding of Al2O3 and AISI 304 stainless steel based materials is investigated. This joining technique allows the continuous replenishment of the active solute which is consumed by the chemical reaction that occurs at the ceramic/filler metal interface. Replenishment is facilitated by employing a sandwich of filler materials comprising tin-based filler metal and amorphous Cu50Ti50 or NiCrB interlayers. During Al2O3/AISI 304 stainless steel bonding, the highest shear strength properties are produced using a bonding temperature of 500 °C. Thick reaction layers containing defects form at the ceramic/filler material interface when higher bonding temperatures are applied. Bonding at temperatures above 500 °C also increases the tensile residual stress generated at the periphery of Al2O3/AISI 304 stainless steel joints. The shear strength of joints produced using NiCrB interlayers markedly increased following heat treatment at 200 °C for 1.5 h. Heat treatment had little influence on the shear strength of the joint produced using Cu50Ti50 interlayers. This revised version was published online in November 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

SUS304不锈钢点焊与胶焊接头的疲劳强度分析

通过拉剪实验测定1.5mm厚SUS304不锈钢点焊接头、胶焊接头的抗拉强度,并开展疲劳实验,获得不同应力水平下两种接头的疲劳寿命,得到两种接头的载荷-寿命曲线;借助扫描电镜分析接头疲劳失效过程。结果表明:当焊接电流为10.0kA、焊接时间为80ms、电极压力为0.5 MPa时,能获得较好的胶焊接头。在此焊接参数下,点焊接头、未固化胶焊接头和固化胶焊接头的平均失效载荷分别为12 825.5N、10 345.6N、10 022.9N;在疲劳实验载荷-寿命曲线的有限寿命区内,SUS304不锈钢胶焊接头的疲劳强度均大于点焊接头;点焊接头和胶焊接头的疲劳失效形式主要由母材眉状裂纹失效和界面撕裂失效两种形式组成;胶焊接头的疲劳失效过程中,首先是胶层粘接失效,随后疲劳裂纹从板间内表面热影响区边缘萌生,沿板厚与板宽方向扩展直至发生疲劳失效。     

Numerical study of strengths of spot-welded joints of steel

A resistance spot-welding (RSW) joint consists of several material zones with different microstructure and properties as a result of the thermal, metallurgical and mechanical deformation process. Detailed material properties are essential to accurately simulate the mechanical behavior of a joint and its dependency on some key structural parameters (e.g. nugget size, sheet thickness etc.). The work presented in this paper utilises an inverse modelling methodology combining numerical modelling and indentation tests with a standard hardness test to characterise the detailed properties of different weld zones of spot-welded joints. The yield and strain hardening parameters of the three zones (nugget zone, HAZ: heat-affected zone and base zone) were determined and the predicted stress–strain curves for base zone were compared with standard tensile tests results. A 3-D finite element model based on the predicted constitutive material laws for different zones coupled with a fracture model was developed to predict the deformation of spot-welded joints beyond the onset of initial yield under tensile-shear loading. The deformation mode and force–displacement result showed good agreements with experimental data. The effect of nugget size and sheet thickness on the tensile-shear strength of welded joints was further systematically studied using a high performance computing system.     

Microstructural features of dissimilar MMC/AISI 304 stainless steel friction joints

The microstructure and mechanical properties of dissimilar friction joints between aluminium-based MMC and AISI 304 stainless steel base materials were investigated. The microstructural features which occur in the stainless steel substrate comprise deformation twinning, formation of a fine-grained dislocation substructure in austenite, and plastic deformation. The stainless steel substrate was plastically deformed in the region close to the mid-radius of the dissimilar joint. In a similar manner, 5–10 m thick transition layers, comprising regions of locally plasticized MMC-base material, were formed close to the mid-radius location in dissimilar joints. The interlayer formed at the dissimilar joint interface comprised a mixture of oxide (Fe(Al,Cr)₂O₄ or FeO(Al,Cr)₂O₃) and FeAl₃ intermetallic phases. The notch tensile strength of dissimilar MMC/AISI 304 stainless steel joints increased when the rotational speed increased from 500 r.p.m. to 1000 r.p.m., and at higher rotation speeds, there was no effect on notch tensile strength properties.     

Growth behaviour of small surface fatigue cracks in AISI 304 stainless steel

A series of axial tensile fatigue tests (R = 0.1) was carried out to investigate the initiation and the growth behaviours of very small surface fatigue cracks under two different surface conditions (viz. smooth and pitted surfaces) of AISI 304 stainless steel at room temperature. This paper deals with both of the two approaches regarding the analysis of fatigue: the approach based on the concept of fracture mechanics and low cycle fatigue. In particular, both the initiation and growth of cracks and the coalescence of small cracks by fatigue in the specimen have been investigated by the methods of surface replicas and photomicrographs. Quantitative information such as the initiation period, growth and coalescence behaviours of small cracks, and crack growth properties were systematically obtained. The results show that the accurate determination of these parameters is critical for the application of fracture mechanics to fatigue life assessment.     

The measurement of fatigue cracks at spot-welds

Current fabrication changes in the automotive industry have stimulated interest in fatigue avoidance at spot-welded joints. Basic endurance data are available only for specific specimen types; a generalized fracture mechanics approach has been impeded by lack of crack propagation data. This paper describes a direct current potential difference technique for the continuous measurement of crack dimensions in spot-welded mild steel specimens under fatigue loadings. Initial results indicate that macrocrack propagation is the dominant fatigue mechanism for specimens with lives of the order 2 × 10⁶ cycles.     

Interface microstructure evolution of dissimilar friction stir butt welded F82H steel and SUS304

The dissimilar butt welded joint of reduced-activation ferritic/martensitic steel (RAF/M) F82H and austenite stainless steel (AISI304 (SUS304)) were studied by friction stir welding. The effect of the position of the steels and tool plunging was considered in order to prohibit the mixing of the F82H and SUS304. When the dissimilar butt welding was performed such that the F82H plate was on the advancing side and the tool was plunged on the F82H side, defect-free joints could be successfully fabricated. Optical microscopy and EDX analysis were used to characterize the dissimilar joint microstructures and the interface. It was confirmed that the dissimilar joint formed no mixed structure and inter-metallic compounds.     

Fabrication and characteristics of porous AISI 304L stainless steels by ceramic powder additions

Abstract

Porous AISI 304L stainless steels were fabricated by a new powder metallurgy technique, based on the addition of oxide based ceramic powders. The mixture of AISI 304L stainless steel powders and oxide based ceramic powders was compacted using a hand press at a pressure of 294 or 490 MPa. The green compacts were sintered at 1150 or 1200°C for 3 h in Ar gas atmosphere. The addition of oxide based ceramic powders into AISI 304L stainless steel powders gave rise to porous AISI 304L stainless steels with fine pores. Also, the addition of the ceramic powders increased the hardness.     

Fatigue behaviour of friction welded medium carbon steel and austenitic stainless steel dissimilar joints

This paper reports the fatigue behaviour of friction welded medium carbon steel–austenitic stainless steel (MCS–ASS) dissimilar joints. Commercial grade medium carbon steel rods of 12 mm diameter and AISI 304 grade austenitic stainless steel rods of 12 mm diameter were used to fabricate the joints. A constant speed, continuous drive friction welding machine was used to fabricate the joints. Fatigue life of the joints was evaluated conducting the experiments using rotary bending fatigue testing machine (R = −1). Applied stress vs. number of cycles to failure (S–N) curve was plotted for unnotched and notched specimens. Basquin constants, fatigue strength, fatigue notch factor and notch sensitivity factor were evaluated for the dissimilar joints. Fatigue strength of the joints is correlated with microstructure, microhardness and tensile properties of the joints.     

Zinc contamination cracking in stainless steel after welding

The paper presents the results of microstructure of welded joints of hot-dip zinc galvanized steels E275D+Z and stainless steels X5CrNi18-10 (AISI 304, 1.4301) examination. Obtained results show the zinc evaporation from structural steel surface, it deposition on the stainless steel and penetration of it microstructure. The process mechanism is described and illustrated.     

Softened zone formation and joint strength properties in dissimilar friction welds

The mechanical properties of dissimilar MMC/AISI 304 stainless steel friction welds with and without silver interlayers were examined. The notch tensile strengths of MMC/AISI 304 stainless steel and MMC/Ag/AISI 304 stainless steel friction welds increased when high friction pressures were applied during the joining operation. The higher notch tensile strengths of dissimilar MMC/AISI and MMC/Ag/AISI 304 stainless steel friction welds resulted from the formation of narrow softened zones in MMC material immediately adjacent to the bondline. The influence of softened zone width and hardness (yield strength) on the notch tensile strengths of dissimilar welds was analysed using finite element modelling (FEM). FEM in combination with the assumption of a ductile failure criterion was used to calculate the notch tensile strengths of dissimilar joints. The key assumption in this work is that dissimilar weld failure wholly depended on the characteristics (mechanical properties and dimensions) of the softened zone formed in MMC material immediately adjacent to the bondline. The modelling results produced based on this assumption closely correspond with the actual notch tensile strengths of dissimilar MMC/Ag/AISI 304 stainless steel and MMC/Ag/AISI 304 stainless steel friction welds.     

Investigation of the mechanical properties of friction-welded joints between AISI 304L and AISI 4340 steel as a function rotational speed

In this study, standard AISI 304L austenitic stainless steel and AISI 4340 steel couple were welded by friction welding process using five different rotational speeds. The joining performances of AISI 304L/AISI 4340 friction-welded joints were studied and the influences of rotational speed on the microstructure and mechanical properties of the welded joints were also estimated. The microstructural properties of heat affected zone (HAZ) were examined by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The microhardness across the interface perpendicular to the interface was measured and the strength of the joints was determined with tensile tests. The experimental results indicate that the tensile strength of friction-welded 304L/4340 components were markedly affected by joining rotational speed selected.     

Low-cycle fatigue behaviour of notched AISI 304 stainless steel specimens

Low-cyclic fatigue tests were conducted on semi-circle notched and V-notched specimens made of AISI 304 stainless steel. Extensive scanning electron microscopic examination of the fracture surface was also carried out to correlate the microscopic fracture surface features with the macroscopic fatigue loading parameter for this steel. The elastic-plastic fatigue test results indicated a noticeable cyclic hardening phenomenon and also a great influence of the maximum cyclic stress, the mean stress and the notch geometry on both the fatigue life and the fatigue behaviour process. Using careful sensitivity and regression analysis correlations between the macroscopic fatigue parameters on the one hand and the macroscopic and the microscopic fracture surface features on the other, these correlations are presented and clearly documented and discussed for the two notch geometries investigated.