Load sharing of the phases in 1080 steel during low-cycle fatigue

By means of X-ray diffraction, the stress response of the individual phases in a 1080 steel were measured. Specimens with pearlitic, spheroidal, and tempered martensitic microstructures were subjected to low-cycle fatigue and the stress-strain hysteresis loops were separated into components for the carbide and matrix phases. Calculations of the microstresses formed by differential plastic deformation of the matrix and inclusions accurately model the spheroidite. Measured microstresses in the pearlite are smaller than the predicted values, probably due to yielding of the cementite and limitations on modeling the morphology. Work-hardening rates associated with the microstresses also qualitatively agree with the measurements. The tempered martensite cyclically softens with fatigue loading. The increased plastic strain range in the tempered martensite with cyclic softening is accompanied by an increase in the microstresses. These microstresses are significantly larger than predicted. Formerly Research Assistant, Department of Materials Science and Engineering, McCormick School of Engineering, Northwestern University