Corrosion fatigue crack growth behaviour of austenitic stainless steels under light water reactor conditions

The corrosion fatigue crack growth behaviour of different wrought low-carbon and stabilised austenitic stainless steels was characterised under simulated boiling water and primary pressurised water reactor conditions by cyclic fatigue tests with pre-cracked fracture mechanics specimens in the temperature range from 70 to 320 °C.The major parameter effects and critical conjoint threshold conditions, which result in relevant environmental acceleration of fatigue crack growth are discussed and summarised. Furthermore, the observed corrosion fatigue behaviour is compared with the corresponding (corrosion) fatigue curves in the ASME and JSME boiler and pressure vessel code or open literature and conclusions with regard to their adequacy and conservatism are given.     

The effect of sensitization on the hydrogen-enhanced fatigue crack growth of two austenitic stainless steels

Fatigue crack growth tests were performed to evaluate the susceptibility to hydrogen-enhanced crack growth of AISI 304 and 316 stainless steels (SSs). Sensitization treatment at 650 °C 100 h played little effect on the fatigue crack growth behavior in air, regardless of testing specimens. However, hydrogen accelerated the fatigue crack growth of various specimens to different degrees; sensitized specimens were more susceptible as compared with the un-sensitized ones.

Fatigue fracture appearance of various specimens tested in air exhibited mainly transgranular fatigue fracture together with rarely intergranular fracture and twin boundary separation. Meanwhile, intergranular fracture was found for sensitized specimens tested in hydrogen. Extensive quasi-cleavage fracture related to the strain-induced martensite accounted for the hydrogen-accelerated fatigue crack growth of unstable austenitic SSs. On the other hand, the lower susceptibility of 316H specimens could be attributed to the partial austenite transformation, as evidenced by a mixture of transgranular fracture feature and quasi-cleavage.     

Stress-induced martensitic transformation in metastable austenitic stainless steels: Effect on fatigue crack growth rate

This paper addresses the influence of cyclic stress-induced martensitic transformation on fatigue crack growth rates in metastable austenitic stainless steels. At low applied stress and mean stress values in AISI type 301 stainless steel, fatigue crack growth rate is substantially retarded due to a cyclic stress-induced γ-α′ and γ-ε martensitic transformation occurring at the crack-tip plastic zone. It is suggested that the transformation products produce a compressive residual stress at the tip of the fatigue crack, which essentially lowers the effective stress intensity and hence retards the fatigue crack growth rate. At high applied stress or mean stress values, fatigue crack growth rates in AISI type 301 steels become almost equal to those of stable AISI type 302 alloy. As the amount of transformed products increases (with an increase in applied or mean stress), the strain-hardening effect brought about by the transformed martensite phase appears to accelerate fatigue crack growth, offsetting the contribution from the compressive residual stress produced by the positive volume change of γ → α′ or ε transformation.     

2524-T34合金疲劳裂纹的萌生和扩展行为

通过四点弯曲疲劳试验研究2524-T34板材的疲劳性能,借助金相和扫描电镜观察疲劳裂纹的萌生和扩展行为。结果表明:2524合金具有良好的疲劳性能,疲劳强度达到屈服强度的80%以上;疲劳裂纹主要在第二相粒子以及第二相粒子/基体界面萌生,裂纹扩展过程中的偏转与晶界的阻碍有关;相邻晶粒内两个有利滑移面之间的位向差是控制裂纹通过晶界扩展的重要因素。     

2397合金高周疲劳性能及裂纹萌生扩展行为

研究了2397-T87铝锂合金的高周疲劳性能及裂纹萌生扩展行为。结果表明:在应力比R=0.1时,2397-T87铝锂合金L方向、LT方向和ST方向光滑试样(K_t=1.0)的疲劳寿命极限分别约为192,243和151 MPa;缺口试样(K_t=3.0)的疲劳寿命极限分别约为72,78和70 MPa。其疲劳裂纹主要萌生于试样表面,以及氧化物、夹杂等脱落形成的空洞,Al(CuFeMn)第二相杂质粒子。驻留滑移带(PSB)和晶粒取向对其疲劳裂纹早期扩展有重要影响。     

The influence of simulated fuel-grade ethanol on fatigue crack propagation in pipeline and storage-tank steels

This study presents an evaluation of fatigue crack propagation in three steels (A36, X52, and X70) in a simulated fuel-grade ethanol environment. A fracture mechanics testing approach was used to determine crack propagation rates as a function of the stress-intensity-factor amplitude (ΔK). Results of this testing and the fracture analysis indicate that all three materials are susceptible to enhanced fatigue damage in fuel-grade ethanol environments. We show that the damage mechanism is attributed to susceptibility of each material to ethanol stress-corrosion cracking under fatigue loading conditions and propose a model for determining crack growth rates in ethanol fuel.     

TC4ELI合金疲劳裂纹尖端塑性区对裂纹扩展的影响

研究了TC4ELI合金片层组织与短棒α组织中的疲劳裂纹尖端塑性区及裂纹扩展行为.首先通过SEM及TEM观察比较两种显微组织下的疲劳裂纹尖端塑性区,讨论两种显微组织中裂纹尖端塑性区对疲劳裂纹扩展路径及扩展断口的影响,分析裂纹扩展路径和裂纹尖端塑性区对裂纹闭合及裂纹扩展速率的影响.结果表明:与短棒α组织相比,片层组织中具有较大的裂纹尖端塑性区及曲折的裂纹扩展路径,并最终从疲劳裂纹闭合的角度,解释了片层组织具有较低的疲劳裂纹扩展速率的原因.     

Discrete dislocation modeling of fatigue crack propagation

Analyses of the growth of a plane strain crack subject to remote mode I cyclic loading under small-scale yielding are carried out using discrete dislocation dynamics. Cracks along a metal–rigid substrate interface and in a single crystal are studied. The formulation is the same as that used to analyze crack growth under monotonic loading conditions, differing only in the remote stress intensity factor being a cyclic function of time. Plastic deformation is modeled through the motion of edge dislocations in an elastic solid with the lattice resistance to dislocation motion, dislocation nucleation, dislocation interaction with obstacles and dislocation annihilation being incorporated through a set of constitutive rules. An irreversible relation is specified between the opening traction and the displacement jump across a cohesive surface ahead of the initial crack tip in order to simulate cyclic loading in an oxidizing environment. The cyclic crack growth rate log(da/dN) versus applied stress intensity factor range log(ΔK_I) curve that emerges naturally from the solution of the boundary value problem shows distinct threshold and Paris law regimes. Paris law exponents in the range 4 to 8 are obtained for the parameters employed here. Furthermore, rather uniformly spaced slip bands corresponding to surface striations develop in the wakes of the propagating cracks.     

Corrosion fatigue crack growth behaviour of naval steels

Fatigue crack growth behaviour of two varieties of HSLA steels used in naval structural applications have been evaluated in air and 3.5% NaCl solution. In air both the HSLA steels showed similar resistance to fatigue crack growth. However, in 3.5% NaCl, the fatigue crack growth resistance of HSLA-80 steel was superior to that of HSLA-100. The apparent inferiority of HSLA-100 to corrosion fatigue crack growth resistance is attributed to rapid film formation and rupture, and occurrence of planar modes of failure. Effect of R-ratio on air fatigue and corrosion fatigue crack growth behaviour is rationalised by the concept of crack closure. Effect of cyclic frequency on corrosion fatigue behaviour is examined. It is noted that the mechanism of corrosion fatigue crack growth for the two HSLA steels changes with attendant change in the Paris slope. This leads to increase or decrease of crack growth rates, depending up on the ΔK range of interest.     

塑性区对Inconel 690合金腐蚀疲劳裂纹扩展行为的影响

通过在室温空气及325 ℃饱和氧高纯水中进行疲劳裂纹扩展试验,研究单向塑性区长度rp对Inconel 690合金疲劳裂纹扩展行为的影响。结果表明,同一频率下,随着rp的增加,裂纹扩展速率CGR加快,但环境影响因子Fen未发生明显变化;裂纹为穿晶型扩展,扩展过程中伴随着少量分支,载荷的变化对支裂纹数量没有明显的影响;断口为典型的腐蚀疲劳特征,裂纹扩展形成韧性断裂特征的山脊区和脆性疲劳断裂的疲劳平台。     

Study of fatigue crack growth rate for austenitic Fe-Al-Mn alloys

A study was made of the crack growth rate (da/dN) versus stress-intensity variation ΔK behavior of Fe-Al-Mn alloys with different percentages of carbon, aluminum, and manganese at ambient temperature. The experimental results are described with respect to a Paris equation,da/dN = C(†K)ⁿ, where the exponent n, index for crack growth resistance of materials, was strongly influenced by alloy composition. It was found that higher manganese content provided better crack growth resistance, and that carbon and aluminum had an opposite effect. Scanning electron microscopy, x-ray diffraction, and mechanical properties evaluation were performed and correlated to the change of n values.     

Detection of fatigue crack propagation with acoustic emission

Since its inception, acoustic emission has held great promise as a tool for detection and evaluation of damage in structures. Of particular concern is the occureence of fatigue manifested by the processes of crack initiation followed by crack growth to failure. Early research related acoustic emission parameters to physical variables, including load, stress, pressure etc. causing damage. In this paper, relationships relating acoustic emission to fatigue crack growth are developed. Acoustic emission equations, similar to Paris' law, are derived which allow determination of the stress intensity factor and the crack growth rate. These principles are embodied in a second-generation system which automatically and continuously determines these parameters. The approach is applied in the laboratory as well as to structures including bridges, air frames and transmission towers for electrical power.     

Metallurgical control of fatigue crack propagation in superalloys

Low-cycle fatigue life of turbine engine disk alloys is determined by the initiation and propagation of fatigue cracks. Performance improvements can be achieved through the combination of clean melting technology, to reduce the defect size, and a new generation of high-strength superalloys with fatigue cracking resistance. Metallurgical control of fatigue crack propagation in high-strength superalloys becomes feasible only through a clear understanding of the fatigue cracking mechanism, as well as the micro-structure/property relationships. Many metallurgical parameters have been identified to control the fatigue cracking resistance at high temperatures. One of the most effective methods, applicable to all high γ′ content superalloys, is to modify the grain boundary structure by means of a controlled cooling from a supersolvus solutioning. The precipitation reaction occurring on the grain boundaries during cooling generates a serrated structure that exhibits a good stress oxidation resistance for fatigue cracking.     

Mechanism of crack formation in carbon steels during fatigue

Metal Science and Heat Treatment -     

基于原位SEM的激光-MIG复合焊接7075-T6铝合金疲劳裂纹扩展行为

通过扫描电镜原位观察激光复合焊接头各区裂纹的扩展行为. 结果表明,焊缝各区组织的不同使得疲劳裂纹扩展行为发生明显改变,疲劳裂纹位于焊缝中心时,裂纹总体沿着垂直于载荷主轴的方向扩展;疲劳裂纹位于热影响区时,裂纹大致成"Z"字型路径进行扩展;疲劳裂纹在焊缝中心和热影响区扩展时都存在二次裂纹;疲劳裂纹在母材区扩展时,呈现出单一和典型的裂纹扩展模式. 此外,通过原位SEM观察获得不同循环周期下的裂纹扩展长度,进而推算得到7075-T6铝合金接头各区内疲劳裂纹扩展速率的Paris公式.     

喷射沉积Al-Si/SiCp制动盘材料的热疲劳微裂纹扩展行为

采用V形缺口试样,研究喷射沉积Al-Si/SiCp复合材料制动盘在25(450 ℃热循环下的热疲劳行为.通过金相显微镜和扫描电镜观察了复合材料的组织和热疲劳裂纹形貌,研究热疲劳裂纹形成与扩展机制.结果表明:热疲劳主裂纹主要从V形缺口处萌生;在同样的热循环次数下,热处理前的试样要比热处理后的试样先出现裂纹,且裂纹扩展的速率较快;裂纹绕过Si颗粒向前扩展以及裂纹穿过Si颗粒向前扩展是裂纹与Si颗粒相互作用的主要机制;SiC颗粒与热疲劳裂纹有明显的交互作用.因此,改善Si相的形态和分布以及加强Al/SiC颗粒间的界面结合有利于提高热疲劳裂纹扩展的抗力.