低温环境下桥梁钢Q345qD疲劳裂纹扩展行为研究

为了明确在寒冷地区服役桥梁钢的疲劳裂纹扩展行为,以16 mm厚桥梁钢Q345qD为研究对象,完成了室温和低温下的夏比冲击韧性试验、疲劳裂纹扩展速率试验和疲劳裂纹扩展门槛值试验。结果表明,夏比冲击功和试样断口剪切断面率随温度的降低而减少;在应力比0.1、0.2和0.5条件下,疲劳裂纹扩展速率均随温度降低而变缓,该桥梁钢的疲劳韧-脆转变温度点在-60℃以下;在室温~-60℃,其裂纹扩展速率均对应力比的变化不敏感;应力比0.1条件下的疲劳裂纹扩展门槛值随温度的降低有略微增大的趋势。该批次桥梁钢表现出了良好的抵抗低温疲劳裂纹扩展性能,防止低温脆性破坏成为疲劳设计的重点;试验数据能为钢结构桥梁的进一步抗低温疲劳和防低温冷脆断裂设计提供参考。     

Fatigue strength prediction of ultra high strength steel butt‐welded joints

First, fatigue tests were performed on butt‐welded joints made of novel direct quenched ultra high strength steel with high quality welds. Two different welding processes were used: MAG and Pulsed MAG. The weld profiles, misalignments and residual stresses were measured, and the material properties of the heat‐affected zone were determined. Fatigue tests were carried out with constant amplitude tensile loading both for joints in as‐welded condition and for joints after ultrasonic peening treatment. Finally, in fatigue strength predictions, the crack initiation phase was estimated using the procedures described by Lawrence et al. [Lawrence F V, Ho N J and Mazumdar P K (1981) Predicting the fatigue resistance of welds. Annu. Rev. Mater. Sci, 11, 401–425]. The propagation phase was simply estimated using S–N curves for normal quality butt welds, which may contain pre‐existing cracks or crack‐like defects eliminating the crack initiation stage.     

Temperature‐dependent characteristics of DH36 steel fatigue crack propagation

DH36 steel is a widely used material in marine engineering. The fatigue crack propagation rates of DH36 steel at low temperatures have a crucial influence on the fatigue strength of structures operating in polar environments. The objective of this paper is to investigate the fatigue crack propagation behaviour of DH36 steel at low temperatures (?60°C to 20°C) by carrying out tensile tests and fatigue crack propagation tests of DH36 steel, in order to obtain the fatigue crack propagation behaviour of DH36 steel. The influence of the elastic modulus on the crack length measured by the compliance method is considered. On the basis of the Paris law, the crack propagation rate at different temperatures is investigated. The results and the observed failure modes indicated that fatigue ductile‐to‐brittle transition (FDBT) occurred as the temperature was lowered.     

Fatigue crack propagation into the residual stress field along and perpendicular to laser beam butt‐weld in aluminium alloy AA6056

Laser beam butt welds in Al‐alloys are very narrow and are accompanied by steep residual stress gradients. In such a case, how the initial crack orientation and the distance of the notch tip relative to the weld affect fatigue crack propagation has not been investigated. Therefore, this investigation was undertaken with two different crack orientations: along the mid‐weld and perpendicular to the weld. Fatigue crack propagation ‘along the mid‐weld’ was found to be faster in middle crack tension specimens than in compact tension specimens. For the crack orientation ‘perpendicular to the weld’, the relative distance between the notch tip and the weld was varied using compact tension specimens to generate either tensile or compressive residual stresses near the notch tip. When tensile residual stresses were generated near the notch tip, fatigue crack propagation was found to be faster than that in the base material, irrespective of the difference in the initial residual stress level and whether the crack propagated along the mid‐weld or perpendicular to the weld. In contrast, when compressive weld residual stresses were generated near the notch tip, fatigue crack arrest, slow crack propagation, multiple crack branching and out of plane deviation occurred. The results are discussed by considering the superposition principle and possible practical implications are mentioned.     

Life prediction of butt welds containing welding defect

In the present study, the welding defects are divided into two types, i.e. the crack-like defect and the uncrack-like defect, based on the experimental and analytical results, and the criterion for distinguishing the defect type is tentatively proposed. The life predicting methods are given to accurately compute the fatigue life of butt welds containing different types of defect. The computation and the experiments show that the fatigue crack propagation life of the butt welds containing the crack-like defect is approximately equal to the total fatigue life and the fatigue crack initiation life can be neglected. Therefore, the fatigue life of this kind of welds is greatly decreased. On the other hand, the fatigue life of the butt welds containing uncrack-like defect consists of two phases, i.e. the fatigue crack initiation life and the fatigue crack propagation life and the fatigue crack initiation life occupies a greater portion, which cannot be neglected. In order to accurately predict the fatigue life of welded elements, not only the defect size but also the defect type should be determined. Consequently, the technology and the equipment for the nondestructive detection need to be highly developed.     

Experimental investigation on low cycle fatigue and fracture behaviour of a notched Ni‐based superalloy at elevated temperature

In order to investigate the effects of stress concentration on low cycle fatigue properties and fracture behaviour of a nickel‐based powder metallurgy superalloy, FGH97, at elevated temperature, the low cycle fatigue tests have been conducted with semi‐circular and semi‐elliptical single‐edge notched plate specimens at 550 and 700 °C. The results show that the fatigue life of the notched specimen decreases with the increase of stress concentration factor and the fatigue crack initiation life evidently decreases because of the defect located in the stress concentration zone. Moreover, the plastic deformation induced by notch stress concentration affects the initial crack occurrence zone. The angle α of the crack occurrence zone is within ±10° of notch bisector for semi‐circular notched specimens and ±20° for semi‐elliptical notched specimens. The crack propagation rate decreases to a minimum at a certain length, D, and then increases with the growth of the crack. The crack propagation rate of the semi‐elliptical notched specimen decelerates at a faster rate than that of the semi‐circular notched specimen because of the increase of the notch plasticity gradient. The crack length, D, is affected by both the applied load and the notch plasticity gradient. In addition, the fracture mechanism is shown to transition from transgranular to intergranular as temperature increases from 550 to 700 °C, which would accelerate crack propagation and reduce the fatigue life.     

Fatigue life prediction for stainless steel welded plate CCT geometry based on Lawrence''s local-stress approach

In the present study, the effect of welding process and procedure on fatigue crack initiation from notches and fatigue crack propagation in AISI 304L stainless steel welds was experimentally investigated. Full penetration, double-vee butt welds have been fabricated and CCT type specimens were used. Lawrence's local-stress approach (a two-stage model) is used to predict the fatigue life. The notch-root stress method was applied to calculate the fatigue crack initiation life, while the fatigue crack propagation life was estimated using fracture mechanics concepts. The fatigue notch factor is calculated using Lawrence's approach. Constant amplitude fatigue tests with stress ratio, R=0 were carried out using 100 kN servo-hydraulic DARTEC universal testing machine with a frequency of 30 Hz. The predicted lives were compared with the experimental values. A good agreement has been reached. It is found that the weld procedure has a stronger effect on lives to initiation than on propagation lives.     

Evaluation of temperature‐sensitive fatigue crack propagation of a high‐speed railway wheel rim material

The fatigue crack growth rate (FCGR) of ER8C high‐speed railway wheel rim material was tested at various service temperatures. The temperature sensitivity of fatigue crack propagation was evaluated, and the effect of temperature on the crack propagation mechanism was analyzed. The obtained results indicate a fatigue ductile‐to‐brittle transition (FDBT) point at ?20°C for the ER8C wheel rim materials. A reverse relationship was found between FCGR and temperature for the near threshold and Paris regimes when the temperature was below the FDBT point. However, no evident changing rule was found when the temperature was above this transition point. An evident fatigue crack propagation mode transition was found from lamellar tearing to intergranular cracks, which was related to the FDBT for the near‐threshold regime.     

Probabilistic fatigue crack growth analysis of spot‐welded joints

This paper presents a probabilistic fatigue crack growth life prediction methodology for spot‐welded joints under variable amplitude loading history. The loading is multi‐axial and is obtained from transient response analysis of a vehicle model using finite‐element analysis. A three‐dimensional (3D) finite element model of a simplified joint with four spot welds is developed, and the static stress analysis of this joint is performed. Then the fatigue crack inside the base material sheet is modelled as a surface crack. Probabilistic crack growth model is combined with the stress analysis result to develop a probabilistic fatigue crack growth life prediction methodology for spot welds. This new method is implemented with MSC/NASTRAN and MSC/FATIGUE and is useful for the reliability assessment of spot‐welded joints against fatigue crack growth.     

Effect of temperature on high-cycle fatigue and very high cycle fatigue behaviours of a low-strength Cr–Ni–Mo–V steel welded joint

Axially push–pull fatigue tests of a low-strength Cr–Ni–Mo–V steel welded joint were conducted up to very high cycle fatigue regime at room temperature and 370 °C. The S–N curve at room temperature shows a duplex shape, while the S–N curve at 370 °C is continuously decreasing with lower fatigue strength. The welds at 370 °C undergoes dynamic strain ageing and has an enhanced load–defects interaction, leading to equal distribution of failures among different parts of the welds. The Z parameter model, with micro-defect location incorporated, having sound physical representation, is life-controlling of the welds at high temperature.     

High cycle fatigue analysis in presence of residual stresses by using a continuum damage mechanics model

This study attempts to predict the high cycle fatigue life of steel butt welds by numerical method. At first, FE simulation of plate butt welding is carried out to obtain the weld-induced residual stresses employing sequentially coupled three-dimensional (3-D) thermo-mechanical FE formulation. Then, a nonlinear damage cumulative model for multiaxial high cycle fatigue based on continuum damage mechanics (CDM), which can incorporate the effect of welding residual stresses, is derived using FE technique. The high cycle fatigue damage model is applied to the butt welds subjected to cyclic fatigue loading to calculate the fatigue life considering the residual stresses, and the computed total fatigue life which takes into account the fatigue crack initiation and the propagation is compared with the test result. In addition, the fatigue life prediction of the welds without considering the residual stresses is implemented to investigate the influence of welding residual stresses on the fatigue performance. The FE results show that the high cycle fatigue damage model proposed in this work can predict the fatigue life of steel butt welds with high accuracy, and welding residual stresses should be taken into account in assessing the fatigue life of the welds.     

Fatigue strength of fillet‐welded joints at subzero temperatures

Ships and offshore structures may be operated in areas with seasonal freezing temperatures and extreme environmental conditions. While current standards state that attention should be given to the validity of fatigue design curves at subzero temperatures, studies on fatigue strength of structural steel at subzero temperatures are scarce. This study addresses the issue by analysing the fatigue strength of welded steel joints under subzero temperatures. Although critical weld details in large welded structures are mostly fillet‐welded joints, most published data are based on fatigue crack growth rate specimens cut out of butt‐welded joints. This study analyses fillet‐welded specimens at ?20°C and ?50°C against controls at room temperature. Significantly higher fatigue strength was measured in comparison to estimates based on international standards and data from design codes even at temperatures far below the allowed service temperature based on fracture toughness results.     

Comparative study of fatigue and fracture in friction stir and electron beam welds of 24 mm thick titanium alloy Ti‐6Al‐4 V

In this study, friction stir welding of Ti‐6Al‐4 V was demonstrated in 24 mm thickness material. The microstructure and mechanical properties, fatigue, fracture toughness and crack growth of these thick section friction stir welds were evaluated and compared with electron beam welds produced in the same thickness material. It was found that the friction stir welds possessed a relatively coarse lamellar alpha transformed beta microstructure because of slow cooling from above the transus temperature of the material. The electron beam welds had a fine acicular alpha structure as a result of rapid solidification. The friction stir welds possessed better ductility, fatigue life, fracture toughness and crack growth resistance than the base meal or electron beam welds. Thus, even though friction stir welding is a relatively new process, the performance benefits it offers for the fabrication of heavy gage primary structure make it a more attractive option than the more well‐established electron beam welding method.     

The effect of microstructures on fatigue crack growth in Q345 steel welded joint

It is a traditional that the fatigue crack growth behavior is sensitive to microstructure in threshold regime, while it is sensitive to R‐ratio in Paris regime. Fatigue test is carried out for welded joints of a Q345 steel where the compact tension specimens with 3.8 and 12.5 mm thickness are used, and comparisons of fatigue crack growth behavior between base metal and a few different locations in the welded joint are considered in Paris regime. Welding residual stresses are removed by heat treatment to focus the study on the microstructural effect. It is shown that fatigue crack growth rate (FCGR) in the base metal is not sensitive to R‐ratio, but the FCGR increases in the overheated zone, the fusion zone and the weld metal zone with R‐ratio increasing. To the low R‐ratio, FCGR in the three zones is smaller than that in the base metal, but they approximate the same with base metal under the high R‐ratio. The mechanism of fatigue crack growth is analyzed through crack path in microstructures and SEM fractograph. The coarse‐grained ferrite in the base metal is of benefit to relaxation of the average stress at the crack tip, and the fatigue crack growth predicts branching and deflection within above different locations in the welded joint. These tortuous crack paths with crack branching and deflection will promote crack closure as well as crack‐tip stress shielding and then resulted in higher crack growth resistance.     

WNQ570桥梁钢及其对接焊缝疲劳裂纹扩展性能试验研究

对WNQ570桥梁钢及其对接焊缝进行了疲劳裂纹扩展速率和疲劳裂纹扩展门槛值测定试验,采用两种不同数据拟合方法分别得到具有95%保证率的疲劳裂纹扩展参数。结果表明：本批次的WNQ570钢材具有良好的疲劳裂纹扩展性能,其中对接焊缝疲劳裂纹扩展速率高于母材;在应力强度因子幅值处于10 MPa·m^1/2～70 MPa·m^1/2的常规区间时,基于单试件数据点的处理结果对应的裂纹扩展速率明显高于基于成组数据点的处理结果;WNQ570的疲劳裂纹扩展速率随应力比增加而增加,疲劳裂纹扩展门槛值随应力比增加而降低。     

钢结构角焊缝低温抗剪疲劳性能的试验研究

国内外学者对钢结构的焊缝连接在常温下的疲劳性能进行了广泛的研究,但是所见文献中对构造细节在低温下的疲劳性能研究较少。为此,以Q345B钢材制作了原状处理的侧面和正面角焊缝连接的两组板材试样,采用高频疲劳试验机在0℃、-20℃、-40℃下进行低温疲劳试验,并进行数据拟合。试验结果发现：对于侧面角焊缝试样而言,低温会提高构造细节的疲劳寿命,而低温对正面角焊缝试样的影响并不明显。低温下的正面角焊缝抗疲劳强度高于侧面角焊缝。正面角焊缝疲劳破坏形式为贯通焊缝裂纹,侧面角焊缝为焊趾向热影响区延伸裂纹。研究结果表明：低温对于不同的构造细节形式的节点疲劳寿命的影响没有统一的结论,有待更多试验进行研究并分析。     

The effects of loading waveform and microstructure on the fatigue response of titanium aero-engine compressor disk alloys

Microstructural variations produced from manufacturing processes and their influence on fatigue crack growth in titanium disks were investigated. Charpy‐tests on titanium disk material were performed and materials with fracture energy values in the range of 3.8–19.1 J/cm² were selected for tests under cyclic loads. Results of Charpy‐tests were compared with fractographic features related to fatigue crack growth in Ti?6Al?3Mo?0.4Si and Ti?6Al?3Mo?2Cr alloys with a two‐phase (α + β) lamellar structure under various cyclic waveforms using specimens made from compressor disks. The material sensitivity to cyclic load waveform can be seen for in‐service disks using a criteria based on fracture energy values determined in Charpy‐tests. A difference in fatigue crack growth periods of 2.5 times was discovered for specimens made from the disk with a filament type microstructure and the mainly globular two‐phase structure of the Ti?6Al?3Mo?0.4Si alloy. The shorter crack growth period correlated with the mainly facetted pattern formation with local zones of fatigue striations when fatigue crack growth is along the planes of the filaments. Fatigue striations are the major fracture surface relief when crack growth occurs in the perpendicular direction to the plane of the filaments. A quantitative fractographic method for estimating the crack growth period for in‐service failed disks was performed for the case of crack development along planes of such microstructural filaments created during the manufacturing process. Specimen tests involving a hold‐time in the cyclic loads are recommended for in‐service accepted titanium disks using a criteria based on the fracture energy value. Selection of disks based on these criteria can indicate a material sensitivity to cyclic load waveforms.     

Effects of humidity and temperature on the fatigue behaviour of an extruded AZ61 magnesium alloy

Load‐controlled fatigue tests were performed at 20 and 50 °C using two relative humidity levels of 55 and 80% to characterize the influence of humidity and temperature on the fatigue behaviour of an extruded AZ61 magnesium alloy. Fatigue tests were also conducted at 150 °C. No significant variation in fatigue properties was noticed with respect to temperature over the range from 20 to 50 °C for both the humidity levels. Fatigue limits in the range 140–150 MPa were observed for relative humidity of 55%. Fatigue strength decreased significantly with increase in temperature to 150 °C. Further, a significant reduction in fatigue strength with a fatigue limit of ～110 MPa was observed with increase in relative humidity to 80% at 20 and 50 °C. The crack initiation and propagation remained transgranular under all test conditions. The fatigue fracture at low stress amplitudes and high relative humidity of 80% results from the formation of corrosion pits at the surface and their growth to a critical size for fatigue‐crack initiation and propagation. The observed reduction in fatigue strength at high humidity is ascribed to the effects associated with fatigue–environment interaction.     

Mikrostrukturelle und mechanische Eigenschaften von laserstrahlgeschweißtem Magnesiumfeinblech AZ31‐HP mit und ohne Zusatzwerkstoffe

Microstructural and mechanical properties of laser welded sheets of magnesium AZ31‐HP with and without filler wires This paper describes Nd:YAG laser beam welding experiments carried out on rolled 2.5 mm thick magnesium sheet AZ31‐HP. For the butt welds in flat position, filler wires AZ31X and AZ61A‐F were used, diameter 1.2 mm. The microstructure and mechanical properties of the different laser beam welded joints were examined and compared with one another. The obtained results show that the laser beam welding of AZ31‐HP sheet is possible without hot crack formation, both without and with filler wires. The determined tensile strength, ductility, fracture toughness and microhardness of laser beam welded joints without filler wire were not effected by AZ31X nor AZ61A‐F. By use of these filler wires loss of zinc was minimized and the shape of weldments was optimized. The values of fracture strength, yield strength and microhardness of the joints and base material are quite similar. It is found that the ductility of the joints is lower than the base materials due to the heterogeneous microstructure of the fusion zones and geometrical notches of the weld seams. Both, weld and base material of AZ31‐HP, showed stable crack propagation. Furthermore, for base material slightly lower fracture toughness values CTOD than for the joints were determined.     

An assessment of three creep–fatigue life prediction methods for nickel‐based superalloy GH4049

High‐temperature low‐cycle fatigue tests with and without a 10‐s strain hold period in a cycle were performed on a nickel base superalloy GH4049 under a fully reversed axial total strain control mode. Three creep–fatigue life prediction methods are chosen to analyse the experimental data. These methods are the linear damage summation method (LDS), the strain range partitioning method (SRP) and the strain energy partitioning method (SEP). Their ability to predict creep‐fatigue lives of GH4049 at 700, 800 and 850 °C has been evaluated. It is found that the SEP method shows an advantage over the SRP method for all the tests under consideration. At 850 °C, the LDS and SEP methods give a more satisfactory prediction for creep–fatigue lives. At the temperatures of 700 and 800 °C, the SRP and SEP methods can correlate the life data better than the LDS method. In addition, the differences in predictive ability of these methods have also been analysed. The scanning electron microscopy (SEM) examination of fracture surfaces reveals that under creep–fatigue test conditions crack initiation mode is transgranular, while crack propagation mode is either intergranular plus transgranular or entirely intergranular, dependent on test temperature.