Mechanism of effects of warm prestressing(WPS) on apparent toughness of notched steel specimens: Part I: Experimental

In this investigation, a series of experiments are carried out in blunt notched specimens to explore the various factors controlling the warm prestressing (WPS) effect on apparent toughness of a HSLA steel. A great number of specimens were tested using Cool-Fracture (CF) without WPS, Load-Cool-Fracture (LCF) and Load-Unload-Cool-Fracture (LUCF) cycles. More complex cycles have also been used to produce residual stress distributions and notch deformations different in quantities and signs. All fracture surfaces of the specimens were observed. Some specimens were unloaded after WPS and details of microscopic features in front of notch roots were investigated. Experimental results show that warm prestress cycles raising the residual compressive stress and opening the notch root improve notch toughness at low temperatures. Oppositely, WPS cycles raising the residual tensile stress and closing the notch root deteriorate notch toughness. One distinct effect of WPS involves deactivating inclusions and second phases particles. With increasing the preload of WPS, more and more particles being potential cleavage nuclei are decohered and blunted to cavities. This effect is proposed to be involved in improvement of notch toughness.