Effect of Notch Location on Fatigue Life Prediction of Strength Mismatched HSLA Steel Weldments

Welding of high strength low alloy steels (HSLA) involves usage of low, even and high strength filler materials (electrodes) than the parent material depending on the application of the welded structures and the availability of the filler material. In the present investigation, the fatigue crack growth behaviour of weld metal (WM) and heat affected zone (HAZ) regions of under matched (UM), equal matched (EM) and over matched (OM) joints has been studied. The base material used in this investigation is HSLA-80 steel of weldable grade. Shielded metal arc welding (SMAW) process has been used to fabricate the butt joints. Centre cracked tension (CCT) specimen has been used to evaluate the fatigue crack growth behaviour of the welded joints. Fatigue crack growth experiments have been conducted using servo hydraulic controlled fatigue testing machine at constant amplitude loading (R=0). A method has been proposed to predict the fatigue life of HSLA steel welds using fracture mechanics approach by incorporatin     

Crack growth rates of structural steel in air and aqueous environments

The fatigue life of structural steel members depend largely on the fatigue crack growth rate. Crack growth rates were calculated in this study for mild and high strength Iow alloy (HSLA) steels, and quenched and tempered (QT) steels in three different environments—laboratory air, distilled water and a 3% saline solution. The data were gathered from published plots in literature. Linear regression lines from similar steel and environment were statistically compared, and similar sets were merged. Finally, four crack growth equations were obtained—HSLA and QT steels in air and aqueous environments. The crack growth rate in aqueous environments was about twice the rate in air. The air equations can be used for painted steel structures. The aqueous lines should be used for bare steel structures, such as those made from weathering steels.     

AN ACCELERATED TEST METHOD FOR DETERMINING NEAR-THRESHOLD STRESS INTENSITY VALUES IN HSLA STEELS

Abstract— A new method for accelerating the collection of near-threshold corrosion fatigue crack propagation data, using local hydrogen embrittlement in the crack tip region, has been investigated for ASTM A710 HSLA steel. Fatigue tests were conducted at 10 and 0.2 Hz (stress ratio, R = 0.1) on "constant K " contoured double cantilever beam (CDCB) specimens, to establish near-threshold crack growth rates in a locally hydrogen charged region at the crack tip. Hydrogen charging was then discontinued and crack growth rates were monitored in the uncharged material. Near-threshold fatigue crack growth rates were found to be 100 times faster in the locally hydrogen charged specimens than in the uncharged material. Fatigue thresholds, Δ K _th, were defined in less than one fifth the time required for load shedding tests in air at 0.2 Hz. Although demonstrated for HSLA steels, the technique is applicable to any material which can be embrittled by hydrogen.     

CORROSION FATIGUE OF AN HSLA STEEL

Abstract— Single-pitted specimens of an HSLA steel, were tested in laboratory air and in 1 M NaCl solution to study the influence of a corrosive environment on its fatigue life.
The growth of fatigue cracks and the partitioning of the fatigue life into fatigue crack initiation and fatigue crack propagation were studied by photographing the pit and the cracks developing on it periodically during testing. Non-propagating or dormant surface cracks were not observed in this study. Fractography using SEM showed the locations of fatigue crack initiation. The mechanisms of corrosion fatigue were studied by performing tests in 1 M NaCl at different test frequencies. Corrosion pits proved to be crack initiation sites. Hydrogen embrittlement was found to be unimportant in the corrosion fatigue of HSLA steel in this study. The 1 M NaCl corrosive environment appeared to reduce the fatigue life of this material by a dissolution mechanism. The effect of pit depth was studied by testing specimens having various pit depths. An effect of pit size was apparent. Fatigue life decreased with increasing pit depth. Pit depth, rather than the ratio of pit depth to pit diameter, influenced fatigue behaviour. A non-damaging pit depth was found.     

Influence of cold work on mechanical properties of Fe–Ti–N alloys

Abstract

High-strength steels offer fuel savings in automotive components through weight reduction and when high strength is achieved in low-alloy steels, an economical material is produced, suitable for a wide range of applications. ‘Formable and strengthenable’ (FS) steels have been developed as an alternative to present high-strength low-alloy (HSLA) steels, and are produced in a manner different from the conventional alloys. The FS steel is formed in the soft, fully annealed condition, and the final strength is developed by a nitriding heat treatment. The present paper describes the microstructure and properties of an FS steel containing titanium as the nitride-forming element. Annealed and nitrided Fe–Ti alloys are extremely hard and brittle but cold working before nitriding greatly improves ductility. The replacement of boundaries on cold working by a fine subcell structure eliminates embrittlement, and added strength is obtained by the stabilization of the cell structure by Ti–N clusters or TiN particles. Cold worked and nitrided alloys have a microstructure which varies with depth from the nitrided surface into the component, producing a complex structure which prevents detailed analysis of the strengthening process. However, the present work demonstrates the value of FS steels as a useful addition to the range of HSLA steels.

MST/379     

Effect of mis-match ratio (MMR) on fatigue crack growth behaviour of HSLA steel welds

Welding of High Strength Low Alloy Steels (HSLA) involves usage of low, even and high strength filler materials (electrodes) than the parent material depending on the application of the welded structures and the availability of the filler material. In the present investigation, the fatigue crack growth behaviour of under matched (UM), equal matched (EM) and over matched (OM) weld metals has been studied. The base material used in this investigation is HSLA-80 steel of weldable grade. Shielded Metal Arc Welding (SMAW) process has been used to fabricate the single “V” butt joints. Centre cracked tension (CCT) specimen has been used to evaluate the fatigue crack growth behaviour of the welded joints. Fatigue crack growth experiments have been conducted using servo hydraulic controlled fatigue testing machine at constant amplitude loading (R=0). Effect of mis-match ratio (MMR) on fatigue crack growth behaviour of HSLA steel welds has been analysed in detail.     

STATISTICAL INVESTIGATION OF THE BEHAVIOUR OF MICROCRACKS IN CARBON STEELS

Abstract— In order to clarify the statistical behaviour of microcracks, rotating bending fatigue tests of plain specimens were carried out using two kinds of carbon steel with different microstructures, normalized 0.21% C steel and heat-treated 0.45% C steel. The emphasis is to investigate separately the statistical properties of the initiation and propagation of microcracks through successive observations of the specimen surface. Results show that the microcrack initiation life distributions of normalized and heat-treated steels are expressed by a two-parameter Weibull distribution and a Weibull distribution of the mixed type, respectively. On the other hand, the microcrack propagation life distributions of these steels are represented by three-and two-parameter Weibull distributions, respectively. The three-parameter Weibull distribution is well fitted to the crack length distribution for both the steels.     

Fatigue properties of transformation-induced plasticity and dual-phase steels for auto-body lightweight: Experiment,modeling and application

The substitution of conventional high strength steels (HSS) with advanced high strength steels (AHSS), e.g., low-alloy multiphase transformation-induced plasticity steel (TRIP steel) or dual-phase steel (DP steel), for body lightweight brings about increased stress of notched components. Thus the fatigue properties of TRIP and DP steels and the fatigue life of notched lightweight design are important considerations for reasonable material selection during the design stage of auto-body. For the mentioned issue, cyclic strain-controlled fatigue properties of TRIP and DP steels with equivalent grade and lightweight result were investigated experimentally. Different cyclic behaviors of TRIP and DP steels were observed due to different interior microstructures. The cyclic stress behavior of TRIP steel is characterized by cyclic hardening followed by stable at lower strain amplitudes, and softening at higher strain amplitudes; however cyclic softening followed by stable occurs consistently for DP steel throughout entire strain amplitude range of test. TRIP steel possesses enhanced fatigue life and cyclic stress at the same strain amplitude than DP steel. Furthermore, local strain-life models of two steels were developed by linear regression of experimental data, to predict and compare the fatigue life of notched body structures made of them by finite element method. The simulation result illustrates that TRIP steel can provide more beneficial potential than DP steel for the lightweight design of notched body structures from the viewpoint of fatigue resistance.     

EFFECT OF GRAIN SIZE ON COLLECTIVE DAMAGE OF SHORT CRACKS AND FATIGUE LIFE ESTIMATION FOR A STAINLESS STEEL

In the short crack regime of the fatigue process, grain boundaries in steels are barriers against crack growth. In this paper, we use: (1) a method involving crack density; and (2) a method of dimensional analysis, to evaluate the effects of grain size and grain-boundary resistance on short crack behaviour and fatigue life. The results show that the fatigue life increases with a decrease in grain size and an enlargement in the obstacle effect of a grain boundary. An experimental investigation is consequently performed and four groups of stainless steel specimens are used with different grain sizes. The experimental measurements show the dependence of fatigue properties on grain size, which are in good agreement with the theoretical results.     

Surface Hardening of High-Strength Low Alloy Steels (HSLA) Dual-Phase Steels by Ball Burnishing Using Factorial Design

Burnishing is used increasingly as a finishing operation which gives additional advantages such as increased hardness, fatigue strength, and wear resistance. Experimental work based on 3⁴ factorial design was carried out to establish the effects of ball burnishing parameters on the surface hardness of high-strength low alloy steels (HSLA) dual-phase (DP) steel specimens. Statistical analysis of the results shows that the speed, feed, lubricant and ball diameter have significant effect on surface hardness.     

INFLUENCE OF TWO-PHASE REGION ROLLING ON TRANSFORMATION AND RECRYSTALLIZATION BEHAVIOUR OF FERRITE IN COPPER-CONTAINING HSLA STEEL

Hot deformation of copper-containing microalloyed steels in the two-phase region was carried out to study the effect of copper on transformation and recrystallization behaviour of ferrite in HSLA steels. it was found that presence of copper could decrease the austenite to ferrite transformation temperature. The precipitation of epsilon-copper in ferrite could retard recovery and recrystallization by dislocation and grain boundary pinning in deformed ferrite. Retardation of transformation and ferrite recrystallization resulted in a less mixed structure consisting of fine transformed and recrystallized ferrite in the copper-containing steels.     

Einfluss der Schweißparameter auf das Ermüdungsverhalten hochfester Baustähle

High strength low alloy steels are used in many different engineering areas. A commonly used joining technique for those steels is fusion welding. Generally, these components have to withstand fatigue due to dynamic loading. Using thermal joining techniques affect the mechanical properties of the steel. This study focuses on the influence of the heat input on the microstructure of high strength low alloy steels (S690). Furthermore, the fatigue behaviour with special regard to crack initiation and crack propagation is characterized.     

铁素体-珠光体型非调质钢的高周疲劳破坏行为

研究了三种碳和钒含量不同的铁素体-珠光型非调质钢的高周疲劳破坏行为,并与调质钢进行了对比.结果表明,铁素体-珠光体型非调质钢的高周疲劳性能与其微观组织特征有关.提高铁素体相硬度,其疲劳极限及疲劳极限比均提高,疲劳极限比最高可达0.60,远高于调质钢的0.50;热轧态粗大的网状铁素体-珠光体组织的疲劳性能较差,低于同等强度水平的高温回火马氏体组织。铁素体-珠光体型非调质钢疲劳破坏机制不同于调质钢,其疲劳裂纹基本上萌生于试样表面的铁素体/珠光体边界,并优先沿着铁素体/珠光体边界扩展;对于同等强度水平的调质钢,不存在像铁素体那样的软相,因而易在试样表层粗大的夹杂物处萌生疲劳裂纹.     

MECHANISMS AND FATIGUE PERFORMANCE OF TWO STEELS IN CYCLIC TORSION WITH AXIAL STATIC TENSION/COMPRESSION

Abstract— Fatigue tests conducted under fully reversed cyclic torsion, with and without superimposed axial static tension/compression loads, were carried out using hour-glass smooth specimens in laboratory air. A high strength spring steel and a 316L stainless steel, were employed to evaluate the effects of mean stress on fatigue performance. Experimental test results show that a biaxial tensile/compressive mean stress had no influence on the cyclic stress-strain response in both materials. However a biaxial tensile mean stress was found to be detrimental to fatigue life of the high strength spring steel but had no effect on the total fatigue life of 316L stainless steel. A compressive mean stress was found to be beneficial to the life of both steels. The fatigue behaviour of the two materials was investigated by experimental observations and the application of theoretical analyses of short crack growth behaviour. Based upon the analysis of surface acetate replicas it has been found that fatigue crack growth is material/stress-state dependent. A biaxial tensile static stress promoted a change in the direction of the Stage I (mode II) crack from the longitudinal direction to a plane normal to the specimen axis in the high strength steel but not in the stainless steel. Consequently a different growth behaviour of Stage I (mode II) cracks was observed for the two materials. The effect of a biaxial mean stress on fatigue crack growth behaviour of the two materials is analysed and described in some detail.     

铜对低碳HSLA钢力学性能的影响

研究了不同铜含量对低碳ＨＳＬＡ钢力学性能的影响。结果表明,铜能显著提高该钢的强度,但降低该钢的韧性。铜含量对ＨＳＬＡ钢强韧性的作用受时效温度的影响,提高时效温度可使不同铜含量的ＨＳＬＡ钢的强韧性差异减小。     

Corrosion fatigue characterisation of sintered multiphase stainless steels

Abstract

Multiphase stainless steels are produced for their attractive properties of mechanical strength and corrosion resistance relative to their austenite–ferrite structure. The manufacture of these steel by powder metallurgy technology presents some advantages in terms of low cost and formability of complex shapes. Mechanical and corrosion resistances are not at the level of the wrought steels due to their porous nature. In this work the fatigue and corrosion fatigue behaviour of some sintered steels obtained by sintering from 316L and 434L base powders has been studied for characterisation and comparison. The sintered steels were fatigue tested in two different environments: air and NaCl aqueous solution. The tests performed indicate that the chemical and microstructral composition has no great influence on fatigue behaviour in comparison with the manufacturing technology (sintering). This is most evident in the more aggressive environment, like seawater, in which these steels could be advantageously used. The analysis of fracture surfaces using SEM microscopy shows a peculiar crack propagation characterised by cleavage, stress intensification due to porosity, and features of localised ductility on sintering necks and base powder particles.     

LOW- AND HIGH-CYCLE FATIGUE PROPERTIES OF VARIOUS STEELS SPECIFIED IN JIS FOR MACHINE STRUCTURAL USE

Abstract —Low-cycle fatigue properties were investigated on four carbon steels and five low alloy steels specified in JIS (Japanese Industrial Standard) for machine structural use, which are the most commonly used in Japan. Several different heats from each of several representative manufacturers were sampled so as to represent the average fatigue characteristics of current materials. The cyclic deformation behaviour of material was denned by comparing the monotonie yield stress on the extrapolated tensile work hardening curve with the cyclic yield stress in the cyclic stress-strain curve determined by incremental step test. The normalized ferrite-pearlitic steels cyclically hardened, while the quench-tempered martensitic were cyclically stable or softened. The S–N relations derived from the strain-controlled low-cycle tests were compared with the results obtained by load-controlled high-cycle tests. The extrapolated S–N curves based on the cyclic stress-strain curve predicted the fatigue strength in the high-cycle range to be stronger for cyclic-hardening steels, but weaker for cyclic-softening steels. The predicted S–N curves for stable steels coincided with the high cycle test data. The fatigue limit had a proportional relationship with cyclic yield stress, slightly depending on the cyclic deformation behaviour. On the other hand, the cyclic yield stress was found to exhibit a very good linear correlation with the monotonie tensile strength, independent of cyclic deformation behaviour. This explains the empirical law that the fatigue limit is approximately proportional to the tensile strength.     

Influences of MMR,PWHT and notch location on fatigue life of HSLA steel welds

Welding of High Strength Low Alloy Steels (HSLA) involves usage of lower, more even and higher strength filler materials (electrodes) than the parent material depending on the application of the welded structures and the availability of the filler material. In this investigation an attempt has been made to study the influences of mis-match ratio (MMR), Post Weld Heat Treatment (PWHT) and notch location on fatigue life of HSLA steel welds. A Shielded Metal Arc Welding (SMAW) process has been used to fabricate the butt joints. A Centre Cracked Tension (CCT) specimen has been used to evaluate the fatigue life of welded joints. Fatigue experiments have been conducted using a servo hydraulic controlled fatigue testing machine at constant amplitude loading (R=0). The Design of Experiments (full factorial design) concept has been used to optimise the number of experimental conditions. Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) method has been used to identify the significance of main and interaction effects. A mathematical model has been developed to predict the fatigue life of HSLA steel welds using Regression analysis.     

The Effect of Hydrogen on Fatigue Properties of Metals used for Fuel Cell System

The effect of hydrogen on the fatigue properties of alloys which are used in fuel cell (FC) systems has been investigated. In a typical FC system, various alloys are used in hydrogen environments and are subjected to cyclic loading due to pressurization, mechanical vibrations, etc. The materials investigated were three austenitic stainless steels (SUS304, SUS316 and SUS316L), one ferritic stainless steel (SUS405), one martensitic stainless steel (0.7C-13Cr), a Cr-Mo martensitic steel (SCM435) and two annealed medium-carbon steels (0.47 and 0.45%C). In order to simulate the pick-up of hydrogen in service, the specimens were charged with hydrogen. The fatigue crack growth behaviour of charged specimens of SUS304, SUS316, SUS316L and SUS405 was compared with that of specimens which had not been hydrogen-charged. The comparison showed that there was a degradation in fatigue crack growth resistance due to hydrogen in the case of SUS304 and SUS316 austenitic stainless steels. However, SUS316L and SUS405 showed little degradation due to hydrogen. A marked increase in the amount of martensitic transformation occurred in the hydrogen-charged SUS304 specimens compared to specimens without hydrogen charge. In case of SUS316L, little martensitic transformation occurred in either specimens with and without hydrogen charge. The results of S-N testing showed that in the case of the 0.7C–13Cr stainless steel and the Cr–Mo steel a marked decrease in fatigue resistance due to hydrogen occurred. In the case of the medium carbon steels hydrogen did not cause a reduction in fatigue behaviour. Examination of the slip band characteristics of a number of the alloys showed that slip was more localized in the case of hydrogen-charged specimens. Thus, it is presumed that a synergetic effect of hydrogen and martensitic structure enhances degradation of fatigue crack resistance.     

Very high cycle fatigue behaviors of Mn–Si–Cr series Bainite/Martensite dual phase steels

The present work studied the very high cycle fatigue (VHCF) behaviors of Mn–Si–Cr series Bainite/Martensite (B/M) dual phase high-strength low-alloy (HSLA) steels to ensure safe applications in railway and oil field. Four kinds of chemical compositions and seven types of B/M steels were designed and studied by ultrasonic fatigue test. The conception of apparent and intrinsic VHCF strength is addressed. Results show the effect of heat generation cannot be ignored in B/M steels in ultrasonic fatigue test, and higher is the intrinsic VHCF strength of materials, more remarkable is the negative effect of self-heating. More importantly, the VHCF property of B/M steels is less sensitive to the inclusion than that of tempered martensite steels, and the amount of retained austenite puts little effect on the VHCF property.