Low-cycle fatigue behavior of solutionized and aged WE43 magnesium alloys at room temperature

The low-cycle fatigue behavior of solutionized(T4)and aged(T6)WE43 magnesium alloys was studied at room temperature.The total strain amplitudes(△ε_(t)/2)were 0.4%,0.5%,0.6%,0.7%and 1.0%.Detailed microstructure evolution was characterized by scanning electron microscope(SEM),electron backscattered diffraction(EBSD)and transmission electron microscopy(TEM).The results showed that plastic strain amplitude decreased with the increasing cycle number in T4 alloy,which is due to the dense persistent slip bands(PSBs)and dynamic precipitates hinderingdislocation slip.In contrast,the plastic strain amplitude increases gradually in T6 alloy,which is attributed to the enhanced activation of pyramidal slip.The low-cycle fatigue life of T6 alloy with larger fatigue ductility coefficient is longer than that of T4 alloy.The Coffin-Manson model can accurately predict the fatigue life of T4 and T6 alloys compared to Jahed-Varvani(JV)energy model.For T4 alloy,the fatigue damage mechanism was dominated by basal slip.For T6 alloy,the enhanced pyramidal slip plays an important role to accommodate plastic deformation.

Performances of fissured red sandstone after thermal treatment with constant-amplitude and low-cycle impacts

In the engineering practices,it is increasingly common to encounter fractured rocks perturbed by temperatures and frequent dynamic loads.In this paper,the dynamic behaviors and fracture characteristics of red sandstone considering temperatures(25℃,200℃,400℃,600℃,and 800℃)and fissure angles(0°,30°,60°,and 90°)were evaluated under constant-amplitude and low-cycle(CALC)impacts actuated by a modified split Hopkinson pressure bar(SHPB)system.Subsequently,fracture morphology and second-order statistics within the grey-level co-occurrence matrix(GLCM)were examined using scanning electron microscopy(SEM).Meanwhile,the deep analysis and discussion of the mechanical response were conducted through the synchronous thermal analyzer(STA)test,numerical simulations,one-dimensional stress wave theory,and material structure.The multiple regression models between response variables and interactive effects of independent variables were established using the response surface method(RSM).The results demonstrate the fatigue strength and life diminish as temperatures rise and increase with increasing fissure angles,while the strain rate exhibits an inverse behavior.Furthermore,the peak stress intensification and strain rate softening observed during CALC impact exhibit greater prominence at increased fissure angles.The failure is dominated by tensile damage with concise evolution paths and intergranular cracks as well as the compressor-crushed zone which may affect the failure mode after 400℃.The second-order statistics of GLCM in SEM images exhibit a considerable dependence on the temperatures.Also,thermal damage dominated by thermal properties controls the material structure and wave impedance and eventually affects the incident wave intensity.The tensile wave reflected from the fissure surface is the inherent mechanism responsible for the angle effect exhibited by the fatigue strength and life.Ultimately,the peak stress intensification and strain rate softening during impact are determined by both the material structure and compaction governed by thermal damage and tensile wave.

Microstructural characteristics and low-cycle fatigue properties of AZ91 and AZ91-Ca-Y alloys extruded at different temperatures

The commercial AZ91 alloy and nonflammable SEN9(AZ91-0.3Ca-0.2Y,wt%)alloy are extruded at 300°C and 400°C.Their microstructure,tensile and compressive properties,and low-cycle fatigue(LCF)properties are investigated,with particular focus on the influence of the extrusion temperature.In the AZ91 and SEN9 materials extruded at 300°C(300-materials),numerous fine Mg_(17)Al_(12)particles are inhomogeneously distributed owing to localized dynamic precipitation during extrusion,unlike those extruded at 400°C(400-materials).These fine particles suppress the coarsening of recrystallized grains,decreasing the average grain size of 300-materials.Although the four extruded materials have considerably different microstructures,the difference in their tensile yield strengths is insignificant because strong grain-boundary hardening and precipitation hardening effects in 300-materials are offset almost completely by a strong texture hardening effect in 400-materials.However,owing to their finer grains and weaker texture,300-materials have higher compressive yield strengths than400-materials.During the LCF tests,{10-12}twinning is activated at lower stresses in 400-materials than in 300-materials.Because the fatigue damage accumulated per cycle is smaller in 400-materials,they have longer fatigue lives than those of 300-materials.A fatigue life prediction model for the investigated materials is established on the basis of the relationship between the total strain energy density(ΔW_(t))and the number of cycles to fatigue failure(N_(f)),and it is expressed through a simple equation(ΔW_(t)=10·N_(f)-0.59).This model enables fatigue life prediction of both the investigated alloys regardless of the extrusion temperature and strain amplitude.

Microstructure evolution during heat treatment of Mg-Gd-Y-Zn-Zr alloy and its low-cycle fatigue behavior at 573K

In as-cast Mg?2.1Gd?1.1Y?0.82Zn?0.11Zr(mole fraction,%)alloy,lamellar microstructures that extend from grain boundaries to the interior ofα-Mg grains are identified as clusters ofγ′using a scanning transmission electron microscope equipped with a high-angle annular dark-field detector.Under a total strain-controlled low-cyclic loading at573K,the mechanical response and failure mechanism of Mg?2.1Gd?1.1Y?0.82Zn?0.11Zr alloy(T6peak-aging heat treatment)were investigated.Results show that the alloy exhibits cyclic softening response at diverse total strain amplitudes and573K.The experimental observations using scanning electron microscopy show that the micro-cracks initiate preferentially at the interface between long-period stacking order structures andα-Mg matrix and extend along the basal plane ofα-Mg.The massive long-period stacking order structures distributed at grain boundaries impede the transgranular propagation of cracks.

Low-cycle fatigue behavior of permanent mold cast and die-cast Al-Si-Cu-Mg alloys

Fatigue failure is one of the main failure forms of Al-Si-Cu-Mg aluminum alloys. To feature their mechanical aspect of fatigue behavior, the low-cycle fatigue behavior of permanent mold cast and die-cast AI-Si- Cu-Mg alloys at room temperature was investigated. The experimental results show that both permanent mold cast and die-cast AI-Si-Cu-Mg alloys mainly exhibit cyclic strain hardening. At the same total strain amplitude, the diecast AI-Si-Cu-Mg alloy shows higher cyclic deformation resistance and longer fatigue life than does the permanent mold cast AI-Si-Cu-Mg alloy. The relationship between both elastic and plastic strain amplitudes with reversals to failure shows a monotonic linear behavior, and can be described by the Basquin and Coffin-Manson equations, respectively.

Mechanical and low-cycle fatigue behavior of stainless reinforcing steel for earthquake engineering applications

Use of stainless reinforcing steel （SRS） in reinforced concrete （RC） structures is a promising solution to corrosion issues. However, for SRS to be used in seismic applications, several mechanical properties need to be investigated. These include specified and actual yield strengths, tensile strengths, uniform elongations and low-cycle fatigue behavior. Three types of SRSs （Talley S24100, Talley 316LN and Talley 2205） were tested and the results are reported in this paper. They were compared with the properties of A706 carbon reinforcing steel （RS）, which is typical for seismic applications, and MMFX II, which is a high strength, corrosion resistant RS. Low-cycle fatigue tests of the RS coupons were conducted under strain control with constant amplitude to obtain strain life models of the steels. Test results show that the SRSs have slightly lower moduli of elasticity, higher uniform elongations before necking, and better low-cycle fatigue performance than A706 and MMFX II. All five types of RSs tested satisfy the requirements of the ACI 318 code on the lower limit of the tensile to yield strength ratio. Except Talley 2205, the other four types of RSs investigated meet the ACI 318 requirement that the actual yield strength does not exceed the specified yield strength by more than 18 ksi （124 MPa）. Among the three types of SRSs tested, Talley S24100 possesses the highest uniform elongation before necking, and the best low-cycle fatigue performance.

CYCLIC SOFTENING IN HOT-WORKING DIE STEELS DURING LOW-CYCLE FATIGUE

The characteristics and microstructural changes of cyclic softening in hot-working die steels 5CrNiMo and 5Cr2NiMoVSi were studied under strain controlled low-cycle fatigue.The re- sults show that the cyclic softening is featured in both steels hardened in different conditions under the strain controlled amplitude range of Δε_t/2=0.6-1.8×10^(-2).The softening effect mainly occurs in some initial cycles and the stress amplitude varies slightly in the sequential cycles,i.e.the softening effect is minified.No obvious stress saturation phenomenon was ob- served during the whole cyclic deformation.The TEM analysis shows that the cyclic softening is related to heterogenity of plastic deformation.The softening of the tested steels is caused by the formation of the dislocation cell structure with low density and low internal stress,and by the fragmentation and redissolution of fine carbides into matrix.

A NEW CYCLIC J-INTEGRAL FOR LOW-CYCLE FATIGUE CRACK GROWTH

The constitutive equation under the low-cycle fatigue （LCF） was discussed, and a two-dimensional （2-D） model for simulating fatigue crack extension was put forward in order to propose a new cyclic J-integral. The definition, primary characteristics, physical interpretations and numerical evaluation of the new parameter were investigated in detail. Moreover, the new cyclic J-integral for LCF behaviors was validated by the compact tension （CT） specimens. Results show that the calculated values of the new parameter can correlate well with LCF crack growth rate, during constant-amplitude loading. In addition, the phenomenon of fatigue retardation was explained through the viewpoint of energy based on the concept of the new parameter.

INVESTIGATION OF THE LOW-CYCLE FATIGUE AND FATIGUE CRACK GROWTH BEHAVIORS OF P91 BASE METAL AND WELD JOINTS

Low cycle fatigue tests and crack growth propagations tests on P91 pipe base metal and its weld joints were conducted at three different temperatures: room temperature, 550℃ and 575℃. The strain-life was analyzed, and the changes in fatigue life behavior and fatigue growth rates with increasing temperature were discussed. The different properties of the base metal and its weld joint have been analyzed.

FATIGUE LIFE PREDICTION METHOD FOR IMPACTED LAMINATES

The existing models are established based on the fatigue behavior of impacted laminates.It makes them unsuitable for the general use.So,a general 3-D progressive damage fatigue life prediction method for impacted laminates is developed based on the progressive damage theory and the fatigue behavior of unimpacted unidirectional plies.The model can predict the fatigue life of laminated composites with different ply parameters,geometry,impact damage,and fatigue loading conditions.In order to obtain the impact damage information in the case that no impact test data is available,a whole damage process analysis method for laminated composites under the impact loading and the fatigue loading is analyzed.The predicted damage statuses of composite laminates can be used to analyze the post-impact fatigue life.A parametric modeling program is developed to predict the impact damage process and the fatigue life of impacted laminates based on the whole damage process analysis method.The most relative error between the prediction and the test results is 7.78%.

Experimental study on uniaxial ratchetting-fatigue interaction of extruded AZ31 magnesium alloy with different plastic deformation mechanisms

The uniaxial ratchetting-fatigue interaction of extruded AZ31 magnesium(Mg)alloy is investigated by uniaxial stress-controlled cyclic tests at room temperature and with addressing the roles of different plastic deformation mechanisms.Different stress levels are prescribed to reflect the cyclic plasticity of the alloy controlled by diverse deformation mechanisms(i.e.,dislocation slipping,deformation twinning and detwinning ones),and then the influences of stress level and stress rate on the ratchetting and fatigue life are discussed.The experimental results demonstrate that different evolution characteristics of whole-life ratchetting and fatigue life presented during cyclic tests with various mean stresses,stress amplitudes and stress rates are determined by the dominated plastic deformation mechanisms.It’s worth noting that the ratchetting can occur in the compressive direction even in the cyclic tests with a positive(tensile)mean stress,and the fatigue life increases first and then decreases with the increase of mean stress on account of the interaction between dislocation slipping and twinning/detwinning mechanisms.Comparing the fatigue lives obtained in the asymmetric stress-controlled and symmetrical strain-controlled cycle tests,it is seen that the ratchetting deformation causes an additional damage,and then leads to a shortening of fatigue life.

Effect of Microstructure on Impact Fatigue Resistance and Impact Wear Resistance of Medium Cr-Si Cast Iron

A great amount of iron grinding balls in tube mills have been consumed. Under this impact abrasive wear working condition, the failure of wear resistant alloying white irons grinding balls is mainly caused by fatigue spalling. The impact wear resistance of martensitic high chromium cast iron （Cr of 15%） is not high sometimes, but its cost is not low. Thus, medium Cr-Si wear resistant cast iron is recommended. The influence of the iron on impact fatigue resistance and impact wear resistance is pronounced. Ball-on-ball impact fatigue test and high stress impact wear test of the grinding balls have been carried out. The results show that the impact fatigue resistance （IFR） and impact wear resistance （IWR） of medium Cr-Si cast iron are superior to those of martensitic high chromium cast iron （Cr of 15%）. The main reasons are that （1） the stress in medium Cr-Si cast iron is released in the as-cast state; （2） the matrix is fine pearlite with better toughness and plasticity; （3） the pearlite is more stable compared with a retained austenite under repeated impact load and less phase transformation can take place; （4） high silicon content im- proves the morphology of eutectic carbide; （5） there is no seeondary carbide which results in less crack sources. All these factors are beneficial to improvement of impact fatigue spalling resistance. The eutectic carbide M7C3 is the main constituent to resist wear.

Effect of RE Modification and Heat Treatment on Impact Fatigue Property of a Wear Resistant White Cast Iron

The morphology of carbides, as well as the generation and propagation of fatigue cracks in a wear resistant white cast iron after impact fatigue test were observed by means of optical microscope and SEM, and the relationship among the content of RE (rare earths) in the wear resistant white cast iron and the heating temperature as well as the length and propagation speed of the fatigue cracks were determined. Based on the obtained results, the effect of RE modification and heat treatment on the impact fatigue property was further studied. Experimental results show that addition of RE can defer the time required for the generation of fatigue cracks, reduce their propagation speed and increase the impact fatigue resistance. The aforesaid effect is more noticeable in case of combined RE modification with heat treatment, which can be attributed to the variation in morphology and the distribution of the eutectic carbide network.

Fatigue Behavior of High Speed Steel Roll Materials for Hot Rolling by Laser Impacting

The fatigue behavior of high speed steel （HSS） roll materials for hot rolling was researched under watercooling conditions by laser impacting. The microstructure of HSS sample and the morphologies of fatigue samples were observed by scanning electron microscope. The phase structure was detected by XRD. The morphology of situ oxide scale was observed by optical microscope, and the expansion coefficient was measured by TGA. The experiment results indicate that the cracks come into being at the carbide-matrix interface, but there are no cracks in the matrix after many times of laser impacting treatment, for the situ sample taken from the fractured roll surface, big carbides are more sensitive to the fatigue, and peel off prior to small ones. The relevant fatigue mechanisms are also discussed.

Fatigue crack propagation in a helicopter component subjected to impact damage

Damage tolerant methodology is increasingly used in aeronautical components,especially due the fact that the Aviation Regulation requires such an assessment in case an accidental damage occurs.At present,there is a strong and actual interest in applying such procedures to helicopter components that are subjected to high frequency cyclic loads.In this paper,an investigation on a damaged transmission shaft for a tail rotor transmission of an actual helicopter has been carried out focusing on the fatigue crack propagation.A complete sequence of experimental tests was performed in order to create an actual ballistic damage and to subsequently check the damage tolerant behaviour.The shaft was damaged by oblique ballistic impact and was subsequently subjected to torsional fatigue loading.During the fatigue cycles several cracks propagated from the ballistic damages.Both of these steps(impact and fatigue loading)were also simulated by a complex modelling approach based on Finite Element Models and fracture mechanics theory.The comparison between the experimental and numerical results shows a good agreement but it underlines the need for a very refined modelling technique capable to replicate all the features associated with the damage in order to reliably simulate the subsequent propagation phase.

Low-Cycle Fatigue Crack Initiation Behavior of Nickel-Based Single Crystal Superalloy

Low-cycle fatigue crack initiation behavior of nickel-based single crystal superalloy at 530℃ was investigated.Results show that the behavior of crack initiation is closely related to the maximum strain.When the maximum strain is 2.0%,the fatigue crack is originated at the position of persistent slip bands on the surface of specimen,which is located on the{111}slip plane.No defects are observed at the crack initiation position.When the maximum strain is lower than 1.6%,the cracks are initiated at the casting defects on sub-surface or at interior of the specimen.The casting defects are located on the{100}slip plane vertical to the axial force.The crack is initiated along the{100}slip plane and then expanded along different{111}slip planes after a short stage of expansion.As the maximum strain decreases,the position of crack initiation gradually changes from the surface to the interior.Moreover,the secondary cracks extending inward along the fracture surface appear in the crack initiation area,and there is obvious stress concentration near the secondary cracks.The dislocation density is high near the fracture surface in the crack initiation zone,where a lot of dislocations cutting into the γ'phase exist.An oxide layer of 50‒100 nm is presented on the fracture surface,and Ni,Al,Cr and Co elements are mainly segregated into the oxide layer of the surface.

Influence of railway wheel tread damage on wheel-rail impact loads and the durability of wheelsets

Dynamic wheel-rail contact forces induced by a severe form of wheel tread damage have been measured by a wheel impact load detector during full-scale field tests at different vehicle speeds.Based on laser scanning,the measured three-dimensional damage geometry is employed in simulations of dynamic vehicle-track interaction to calibrate and verify a simulation model.The relation between the magnitude of the impact load and various operational parameters,such as vehicle speed,lateral position of wheel-rail contact,track stiffness and position of impact within a sleeper bay,is investigated.The calibrated model is later employed in simulations featuring other forms of tread damage;their effects on impact load and subsequent fatigue impact on bearings,wheel webs and subsurface initiated rolling contact fatigue of the wheel tread are assessed.The results quantify the effects of wheel tread defects and are valuable in a shift towards condition-based maintenance of running gear,and for general assessment of the severity of different types of railway wheel tread damage.

Impact Fatigue Behavior of ZrN/Zr-N/Zr Coatings on H13 Steel by CFUBMSIP

ZrN/Zr-N/Zr coatings were deposited on H13 steel by close field unbalanced magnetron sputtering ion plating （CFUBMSIP） technique. The effect of two main parameters such as OEM and bias voltage for the CFUBMSIP process on the microstructure, mechanical properties and impact fatigue behavior of the coatings was investigated. The results indicate that with OEM increasing from 55% to 65% the surface particles size of the coatings increases while it remains almost similar when the bias voltage changes from 60 to 75 V. An aggregation of the particles occurs on the coatings surface, with further increasing the OEM and bias voltage to 75% and 90 V, respectively. The coatings show a columnar grain structure and are mainly composed of two phases of ZrN and Zr. The coating hardness decreases with OEM value increasing and both the coating hardness and modulus go up with bias voltage. The coating deposited under OEM of 65% and bias voltage of 75 V shows the best impact fatigue property.

Effect of RE Elements on the Morphology of Carbides and the Impact Fatigue Properties of the Low Cr White Cast Iron

An apparatus of zone melting unidirectional solidification with a steep temperature gradient and an impact fatigue tester were used.The effect of RE elements on the morphology of carbides and the impact fatigue properties of the low Cr white cast iron were investigated.Experimental results showed that the modi- fying effect of RE elements was remarkable on the M3C carbides.With the addition of RE elements in the low Cr iron,a lot of plate-like carbides were transformed into lath-like and rod-like ones.The higher the content of RE elements was,the more was the fraction of the lath-like and rod-like carbides.In the low Cr white cast iron,the RE modifying agent can efficiently increase the impact fatigue resistance and decrease the crack growth rate and delay the time of incipient cracking.With the increase of the content of RE elements in the low Cr cast iron,the impact fatigue resistance increased greatly and the crack growth rate decreased rap- idly.

STATIC AND FATIGUE BEHAVIOR OF IMPACTED AS4/PEEK THERMOPLASTIC COMPOSITES UNDER COMPRESSION LOAD

Static and fatigue tests under compression load were made on impacted AS4/PEEK and T300/913C graphite/epoxy with [45/90/-45/0]5S stacking sequence. The comparison of the damage tolerance assessment for thermosetting and thermoplastic composites shows that thermoplastics are more damage tolerant under compression. Impacted thermoplastic composites have excellent compression-compression fatigue behavior. The damage growth life is only a few percent of their total fatigue life and no regular damage growth can be found. Some design principles for thermosetting composite structures may still be used.