Influence of weld geometry and process on fatigue crack growth characteristics of AISI 304L cruciform joints containing lack of penetration defects

Abstract

The influence of weld geometry in conjunction with the gas tungsten arc welding (GTAW) and gas metal arc welding (GMAW) processes on fatigue properties of AISI 304L load carrying transverse fillet welded cruciform joints, containing lack of penetration (LOP) defects, has been studied. The fatigue lives of the joints were evaluated using conventional S -N (stress - number of cycles to failure) and fracture mechanics methods. The fatigue lives were calculated according to the two stage approach in which both the fatigue crack initiation and the crack propagation phases were considered. Constant amplitude fatigue experiments with stress ratio R=0 were carried out using a 100 kN servohydraulic Dartec universal testing machine at a frequency of 30 Hz. An automatic crack monitoring system based on crack propagation gauges was used to obtain the crack initiation and propagation data during the fatigue process. The predicted life was compared with the experimental values. It was found that the fatigue lives of the joints fabricated via GTAW were longer than those of the corresponding GMAW joints. It was also observed that the fillet geometry plays a major role in determining the failure mode and life. Test results have been compared with the BS 5400 design curve.     

Fatigue life prediction using two stage model for AISI 304L cruciform joints,with different fillet geometry,failing at toe

Abstract

Reports in the literature indicate that the fillet geometry affects the fatigue properties of cruciform welded joints in structural steels. In an attempt to study the above effect with respect to stainless steel sheet metal welded joints, load carrying transverse fillet welded cruciform joints having a two fillet geometry were fabricated from AISI 304L stainless steel using gas tungsten arc welding and gas metal arc welding with 308L electrodes. The objective of the present work is to predict the fatigue life of AISI 304L cruciform joints failing at the weld toe using a two stage model. The local stress life method was applied to calculate the fatigue crack initiation life, whereas the fatigue crack propagation life was estimated using fracture mechanics concepts. Constant amplitude fatigue tests with stress ratio R ~ 0 were carried out using a 100 kN servohydraulic Dartec universal testing machine at a frequency of 30 Hz. An automatic crack monitoring system based on crack propagation gauges was used to obtain the propagation data during the fatigue process. The predicted lives were compared with the experimental values.     

基于解析算法与J积分法的耐候钢接头疲劳裂纹扩展分析

为准确描述焊接接头疲劳裂纹在扩展中的动态过程,借助多阵元超声相控阵设备对12 mm厚耐候钢对接接头的表面裂纹扩展动态进行实时监测,得到半椭圆形裂纹深度、长度与寿命的演化关系.借助Abaqus建立有限元分析模型,将裂纹几何变化历程输入,计算裂纹尖端7个方向的能量释放率,获得裂纹尖端应力强度因子幅值.将裂纹尖端(θ = 90o)的K值与BS7910标准中推荐解析公式对比分析,其结果吻合性好.在此基础上,分别采用简化公式与两阶段扩展模型计算试样的疲劳寿命. 结果表明,两阶段裂纹扩展模型能准确地预测对接接头裂纹的疲劳寿命,且与试验结果高度吻合.     

Fatigue lives of friction stir spot welds in aluminum 6061-T6 sheets

The fatigue lives of friction stir spot welds in aluminum 6061-T6 lap-shear specimens under cyclic loading conditions are investigated in this paper. The paths of fatigue cracks near friction stir spot welds in lap-shear specimens are first examined. The experimental observations suggest that under cyclic loading conditions, the fatigue crack is initiated near the possible original notch tip in the stir zone and propagates along the circumference of the nugget, then through the sheet thickness and finally grows in the width direction to cause final fracture. A fatigue crack growth model based on the Paris law for crack propagation and the local stress intensity factors for kinked cracks is then adopted to predict the fatigue lives of friction stir spot welds. The global and local stress intensity factors are used to estimate the local stress intensity factors of kinked cracks with experimentally determined kink angles. The results indicate that the fatigue life predictions based on the Paris law and the local stress intensity factors as functions of the kink length agree well with the experimental results.     

Influence of weld size on fatigue life prediction for flux cored arc welded cruciform joints containing lack of penetration defects

Abstract

Fracture mechanics equations have been developed to predict the fatigue life of flux cored arc welded cruciform joints between pressure vessel grade steels, containing lack of penetration defects. These equations have been developed by combining the Paris law and ΔK _i (initial stress intensity factor range) endurance equations. The initiation life and the propagation life of the joints were accounted for, to obtain the total fatigue life. The initiation life was obtained experimentally and the propagation life was evaluated using the numerically developed equations. The accuracy of the developed equations was tested by comparing the predicted data with the experimental data and the correlation was found to be fairly close. Further, the influence of weld size on fatigue life has been analysed in detail.     

Effects of the Electron Beam Welding Process on the Microstructure,Tensile, Fatigue and Fracture Properties of Nickel Alloy Nimonic 80A

The purpose of this study was to evaluate rotary bending high-cycle fatigue properties and crack growth of Nimonic 80A-based metal and electron beam-welded joints. All the tests were performed at room temperature. Fracture surfaces under high-cycle fatigue and fatigue crack growth were observed by scanning electron microscopy. Microstructure, hardness and tensile properties were also evaluated in order to understand the effects on the fatigue results obtained. It was found that the tensile properties, hardness and high-cycle fatigue properties of the welded joint are lower than the base metal. The fracture surface of the high-cycle fatigue shows that fatigue crack initiated from the surface under the high stress amplitude and from the subsurface under the low stress amplitude. The effect of the welding process on the statistical fatigue data was studied with a special focus on probabilistic life prediction and probabilistic lifetime limits. The fatigue crack growth rate versus stress intensity factor range data were obtained from the fatigue crack growth tests. From the results, it was evident that the fatigue crack growth rates of the welded are higher than the base metal. The mechanisms and fracture modes of fatigue crack growth of welded specimens were found to be related to the stress intensity factor range ΔK. In addition, the effective fatigue crack propagation thresholds and mismatch of welded joints were described and discussed.     

Prediction of fatigue crack propagation life in notched members under variable amplitude loading

One of the interesting phenomenon in the study of fatigue crack propagation under variable amplitude load cycling is the crack growth retardation that normally occurs due to the application of a periodic overload. Fatigue crack growth rate under simple variable amplitude loading sequence incorporating period overloads is studied using single edge notched specimens of AISI304 stainless steel. Load interaction effects due to single and multiple overload have been addressed. Substantial retardation of fatigue crack growth rate is observed due to the introduction of periodic tensile overloads. Estimates of fatigue life have been obtained employing Wheeler model (using Paris and modified Paris equations) and Elber’s model. Analytical predictions are compared with experimental results. Results of these analytical fatigue life predictions show good agreement with the experimental fatigue life data. Fatigue crack propagation rates also have been evaluated from the fractographic study of fatigue striations seen on the fracture surface. Good agreement was found between the experimentally observed crack growth rates and the fatigue crack growth rates determined by the fractographic studies.     

Integrated fracture mechanics approach to analyse fatigue behaviour of welded joints

Abstract

Current fracture mechanics methods for fatigue assessment, including those that consider thresholds for crack propagation, are based on long crack behaviour. The present work is concerned with an attempt to predict the fatigue strength of welded joints using a fracture mechanics approach that takes into account the fatigue behaviour of short cracks. The methodology estimates the fatigue crack propagation rate as a function of the difference between the applied driving force and the material threshold for crack propagation, which is a function of crack length. The fatigue strength of butt welded specimens stressed transversely was analysed. Experimental results from the literature were used for comparison. Estimations are obtained by using only the fatigue limit and the fatigue propagation threshold for long cracks, and the applied stress distribution along the crack path obtained from simple finite element models. The influence of plate thickness, initial crack length, and reinforcement angle on fatigue strength of butt welded joints was analysed. Results show good agreement with experimental trends.     

结合S-N曲线和断裂力学的焊接结构疲劳寿命分析

针对焊接结构的疲劳裂纹演化过程,将焊接结构的疲劳寿命定义为裂纹萌生寿命N_i和裂纹扩展寿命N_p之和,提出一种结合S-N曲线和断裂力学理论的疲劳寿命分析方法.采用等效结构应力法和99%下限主S-N曲线计算焊接结构的裂纹萌生寿命,并将这一阶段结束时的裂纹看作为半椭圆表面裂纹.采用Paris裂纹扩展模型和半椭圆表面裂纹应力强度因子ΔK计算裂纹扩展寿命N_p.参照某起重机走行梁的疲劳试验结果进行对比和验证研究.结果表明,等效结构应力可以较好地表征复杂焊接结构的裂纹萌生特性,结合S-N曲线和断裂力学的疲劳寿命计算结果与试验结果具有较好的一致性.     

铝锂合金填充式摩擦点焊工艺

以5A90铝锂合金搭接接头为研究对象,进行了不同工艺参数下的填充式摩擦点焊试验,并对点焊接头进行了剪切试验、十字拉伸试验,在此基础上对典型接头微观组织结构进行了金相分析和横截面显微硬度测试.结果表明,采用填充式摩擦点焊技术焊接1.5 mm壁厚铝锂合金搭接接头在旋转频率1800 r/min、焊接时间1.5 s左右可获得良好的抗剪能力;十字拉伸强度对于焊接工具旋转频率、下压量不敏感,但随焊接时间的增加而增加;对接头横截面进行金相观察发现,焊点与母材的竖直连接界面为连接薄弱区域,接头横截面显微硬度分布表明,在焊点中心附近水平连接面具有较低的硬度分布.     

2024-T4铝合金FSW接头疲劳裂纹扩展行为及寿命预测

基于ABAQUS与FRANC 3D联合仿真的方法,对2024-T4铝合金搅拌摩擦焊接头预制裂纹于不同部位的紧凑拉伸试样进行裂纹扩展分析以及寿命预测,并深入分析不同部位裂纹扩展行为存在差异性的原因.结果表明,随着裂纹长度的不断延长,裂纹尖端应力强度因子随之增大,且裂纹向前扩展路径基本沿直线扩展,ABAQUS与FRANC 3D联合仿真方法分析不同部位的裂纹尖端应力强度因子和裂纹扩展路径的理论计算和试验结果基本吻合,验证了分区域进行联合仿真的模型精度满足要求.不同部位裂纹扩展试样寿命预测结果与试验结果的相对误差均在5%左右,对焊接接头分区域联合仿真进行寿命预测是准确可行的.裂纹位于不同部位的扩展试样断口处的疲劳辉纹间距不同导致预制裂纹于3个部位的疲劳寿命由低到高为：热影响区、垂直于焊缝方向、焊核区.     

超高强钢点焊结构拉剪试验及数值仿真

以超高强淬火钢22MnB5搭接型点焊结构为研究对象,通过拉剪试验、光学试验和维氏硬度测试,获得了点焊结构的部分力学参数.在ANSYS中进行强度仿真,并与试验结果进行对比.结果表明,将点焊模型分为焊核、塑性环、母材三部分的有限元模型是合理的.同时仿真结果还表明点焊结构交界面的塑性环边缘处是最薄弱的位置,结构失效主要由切应力所引起,并分析了部分尺寸参数对结构强度的影响,当焊核半径、两板重叠长度与板厚越大,结构的最大Von Mises应力值就越低,但增大到一定程度后,其影响降低,为焊接工艺参数的优化提供参考.     

双相钢搭接点焊接头疲劳寿命分析

研究了双相钢焊点特征,对不同匹配双相钢搭接焊点进行了疲劳试验,获得了焊点的载荷寿命曲线.研究了双相钢焊点的疲劳裂纹扩展及失效形式,分析和解释了疲劳过程中的现象,并根据裂纹的实际扩展路径,提出了局部等效张开应力强度因子keq,从断裂力学的角度对双相钢焊点的疲劳失效进行了分析.结果表明,keq能够有效地关联具有不同厚度,不同熔核直径的搭接焊点试样的疲劳寿命,是反映双相钢焊点疲劳强度的有效参量,能够用来预测焊点疲劳寿命.     

激光-电弧复合焊接7075-T6铝合金裂纹扩展分析

研究了7075-T6铝合金薄板激光复合焊焊接接头疲劳裂纹扩展寿命.同时通过试验建立了不同热输入与弹性模量之间的函数关系并预测了给定热输入下的疲劳寿命.基于改进的Forman公式,提出了一种考虑7075-T6复合焊接头性能差异性、应力强度因子门槛值、裂纹扩展驱动力以及残余应力等多因素耦合的接头寿命预测模型.通过有限元模拟仿真并结合裂纹扩展和接头拉伸试验,对提出的模型进行了验证.结果表明,该模型预报的接头寿命与试验结果吻合较好.     

涡轮盘中心孔三维疲劳裂纹扩展分析

基于有限元软件ABAQUS和三维裂纹扩展分析软件Franc3D,对涡轮盘中心孔三维疲劳裂纹扩展进行研究分析。首先,对平板试样表面裂纹进行裂纹扩展模拟计算研究,对比手册中Gross/Brown理论模型验证裂纹扩展应力强度因子数值模拟的准确性;其次,针对涡扇发动机涡轮盘结构,对轮盘不同外缘等效应力、转速情况的应力强度因子以及考虑初始缺陷的三维疲劳裂纹扩展寿命进行计算;最后,讨论发动机载荷差异对应力强度因子和裂纹扩展寿命影响规律。结果表明:在相同裂纹长度时,应力强度因子随着轮盘外缘等效应力和转速增加而增大,载荷越大疲劳寿命则越短,且裂纹越长,影响越大。为工程上三维裂纹扩展计算以及寿命评估提供参考。     

Einfluß von Prüffrequenz und Salzgehalt des Korrosionsmediums auf die Korrosionsermüdung von Stählen bei betriebsähnlichen Lastabläufen

Influence of test frequency and NaCl-concentration on the fatigue life of steels under a realistic load sequence Because of the size and fatigue life of offshore structures the corrosion fatigue behaviour of those structures cannot be determined under service conditions. Also for the relevant corrosion fatigue tests in the laboratory using welded joints a compromise has to be found to reduce testing time to an economic justifiable amount. This compromise may be a higher stress used in the test, a higher test frequency or a higher concentration of NaCl in the seawater. The influence of test frequency and NaCl concentration on the fatigue life of fillet welded V-shaped specimens made from Fe E 355 KT was determined in artifical seawater and under a realistic load sequence. The fatigue life was separated into the crack initiation phase and the crack propagation phase as well. Mean frequencies of 0.2 Hz, 1.0 Hz and 10 Hz did not affect the fatigue life of welded joints until crack initiation, while low test frequencies of 0.2 Hz and 1.0 Hz accelerated the crack propagation. Higher NaCl-concentration of the seawater, however, had no effect on the fatigue life in both phases.     

Effect of electromagnetic bulging on fatigue behavior of 5052 aluminum alloy

The effect of electromagnetic bulging on the fatigue behavior of the 5052 aluminum alloy was investigated through tensile–tensile fatigue testing. The intriguing finding is that the bulged specimens exhibited enhanced fatigue strength as depicted by maximum stress vs the number of cycles until failure (S–N) curves, by comparison with these original aluminum alloys. Although the fatigue process of the original and budged alloys follows the same mechanism with three distinct steps, namely, crack initiation at a corner of the tested samples, stable crack propagation with typical fatigue striations and finally catastrophic fracture with dimple fractographic features. The typical crack propagation rate vs stress intensity factor range (da/dN–ΔK) curves derived from the spacing of striations reveal a lower crack propagation rate in the bulged specimens. The enhancement of fatigue strength in electromagnetically bulged aluminum alloy is further rationalized in-depth on the basis of strain hardening and dislocation shielding effect.     

16Mn钢埋弧焊接头疲劳裂纹扩展速率的研究

对16Mn钢双面埋弧焊CT试样的焊缝、热影响区、母材及垂直焊缝方向的疲劳裂纹扩展速率进行了研究。结果表明,焊接接头的不同部位疲劳裂纹扩展速率不同,平均应力、焊接残余应力、金相组织对疲劳裂纹的扩展速率都有一定的影响。     

含孔洞缺陷焊接接头放电强化及疲劳寿命分析

针对焊接接头中存在的孔洞等形式的缺陷,利用自制的ZL-2型超强脉冲放电装置对含孔洞缺陷的9CrSi合金工具钢焊接接头进行了电磁热强化试验,并在自制的疲劳试验机上对放电前后焊接接头的疲劳寿命进行了对比分析,从理论上计算了含孔洞缺陷焊接接头放电瞬间的综合应力强度因子.结果表明,放电电压对疲劳寿命的影响存在最优值,在5.5 kV脉冲放电电压作用下,放电后的焊接接头平均疲劳寿命比放电前提高了10%以上,理论计算的电热应力强度因子为负值,削弱了裂纹扩展的驱动力,进而延长了试件的疲劳寿命.     

Fatigue properties of ferrite/bainite dual-phase X80 pipeline steel welded joints

Fatigue properties are important parameters for the safety design and security evaluation of pipelines. In this work, fatigue life and fatigue crack propagation of full-thickness X80 pipeline steel joints compared with the base metal (BM) was investigated. Full-thickness BM specimens showed superior fatigue life compared with that of welded joints. The fatigue crack initiation of full-thickness X80 welded joint specimens occurred at the outside weld toe and then grew inward until a fracture was formed. During fatigue crack growth in the heat-affected zone (HAZ), crack growth rate linearly increased with increased ΔK in each HAZ subregion. However, the change rate of fatigue crack growth rate (da/dN) differed among HAZ subregions. This difference was related to the variation in crack path and fracture mode because of the possible microstructural sensitivity of fatigue crack propagation behaviour.