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.

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.

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.

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 Al-Si-Cu-Mg alloys at room temperature was investigated.The experimental results show that both permanent mold cast and die-cast Al-Si-Cu-Mg alloys mainly exhibit cyclic strain hardening.At the same total strain amplitude,the die-cast Al-Si-Cu-Mg alloy shows higher cyclic deformation resistance and longer fatigue life than does the permanent mold cast Al-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.

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.

INFLUENCE OF DWELL TIME ON HIGH TEM-PERATURE LOW CYCLE FATIGUE (HTLCF) BEHAVIOR IN AN Nd-BEARING NEAR-α TITANIUM ALLOY

The influences of strain amplitude ranges and dwell time at peak strains on the low cycle fatigue (LCF) properties at 600℃ of a new near α high temperature titanium alloy containing rare earth Nd are investigated. The creep fatigue interaction behavior is discussed in this paper in terms of a creep fatigue interaction cumulative law and fatigue crack propagation model. The results show that the creep fatigue interaction is largely dependent on the strain amplitude range, and the tensile dwell periods, as well as compressive dwell periods, have a great influence on the LCF life of this alloy.

FRACTAL ANALYSIS OF FRACTURE SURFACE OF WELDED JOINT UNDER LOW CYCLE FATIGUE

Hausdorff dimension of fracture surface roughness of welded joint,both welding metal and heat-affected zone.of pressure vessel steel 16MnR,tested under strain-controlled low-cycle fatigue,was examined with computer vision srstem and by two-dimensional variation method. Results show that it decreases with the increase of cyclic hysteresis energy.The Hausdorff di- mension variation at heat-affected zone is greater than that of weld metal.It is believed that the greater the fractal dimension is,the longer the fatigue life will be.

SEM in-situ Fatigue Observation on Crack Initiation and Growth from Inclusion in P/M Rene95 Superalloy

A special designed experiment was conducted for observing crack initiation and growth in P/M Rene95 superalloy under tension-tension loading by self-made SEM in-situ fatigue loading stag. Several alumina inclusion particles exposed at the specimen surface were observed carefully. During fatigue test inclusions led to cracks initiation. The cracks can be formed by two mechanisms. Generally, the cracks nucleated at the interface between inclusion and matrix. Sometimes, cracks were also formed inside the inclusion. As the increase of cycles, some cracks at the interface between inclusion and matrix broadened and propagated along the direction about 45 degrees to the loading axis. On the other hand, the cracks inside the inclusion propagated in the inclusion and towards matrix.

Predicting the Fatigue Life in Steel and Glass Fiber Reinforced Plastics Using Damage Models

Three cumulative damage models are examined for the case of cyclic loading of AISI 6150 steel, S2 glass fibre/epoxy and E glass fibre/epoxy composites. The Palmgren-Miner, Broutman-Sahu and Hashin-Rotem models are compared to determine which of the three gives the most accurate estimation of the fatigue life of the materials tested. In addition, comparison of the fatigue life of the materials shows the superiority of AISI 6150 steel and S2 glass fibre/epoxy at lower mean stresses, and that of steel to the composites at higher mean stresses.

Influence of Long-term Climate on Fatigue Life of Bridge Pier Concrete and a Reinforcement Method

This paper quantitatively evaluated the fatigue life of concrete around the air-water boundary layer of bridge piers located in inland rivers,considering the long-term climate.The paper suggests a method to predict the low-cycle fatigue life by demonstrating a thermal-fluid-structural analysis of bridge pier concrete according to long-term climate such as temperature,velocity and pressure of air and water in the process of freezing and thawing in winter.In addition,it proposes a reinforcing method to increase the life of damaged piers and proves the feasibility of the proposed method with numerical comparison experiment.

Short-range ordering plays a determining role in the low-cycle fatigue life improvement of fcc metals: A conclusive study on low solid-solution hardening Ni-Cr alloys

The effect of short-range ordering (SRO) on the low-cycle fatigue (LCF) behavior of low solid-solution hardening Ni-Cr alloys with high stacking fault energies (SFEs) was systematically studied under cycling at constant total strain amplitude (Δε t /2) in the range of 0.1%–0.7%. The results show that an inducement of SRO structures can notably improve the fatigue life of the alloy regardless of Δε t /2, and several unique fatigue characteristics have been detected, including the transition of fatigue cracking mode from intergranular cracking to slip band cracking, the non-negligible evolution from non-Masing behavior in pure Ni to Masing behavior in the Ni-40Cr alloy, and the secondary cyclic hardening behavior in the Ni-10Cr and Ni-20Cr alloys. All these experimental phenomena are tightly associated with the transformation in cyclic deformation mechanisms that is induced by SRO based on the “glide plane softening” effect. Furthermore, a comprehensive fatigue life prediction model based on total hysteresis energy has been reasonably proposed, focusing on the analyses of the macroscopic model parameters (namely the fatigue cracking resistance exponent β and the crack propagation resistance parameter W 0 ) and microscopic damage mechanisms. In brief, on the premise that the effects of SFE and friction stress can be nearly ignored, as in the case of the present low solid-solution hardening Ni-Cr alloys with high SFEs, an enhancement of SRO in face-centered cubic metals has been convincingly confirmed to be an effective strategy to improve their LCF performance.

Low-cycle fatigue behavior of DZ125 superalloy under prior exposure conditions

Low-cycle fatigue(LCF) behavior of the directionally solidified(DS) nickel-based DZ125 superalloy was studied at elevated temperature(980 ℃).Specimens were,respectively,exposed for 0,2,25,50,and 100 h in air.The fatigue life of pre-exposed specimens is lower than that of unexposed specimens.The result is closely associated with fatigue crack initiation and propagation due to oxygen embrittlement and cycle loading.Detailed fractographic evaluations indicate the fatigue life is closely related to the surface microstructural modification.The resulting changes in microstructure cause the decrease in the effective area and the increase in actual stress.A methodology based on the continuum damage mechanics is developed to describe the correlation between the residual LCF life and pre-exposed time.

Low-cycle fatigue behavior of a directionally solidified Ni-based superalloy subjected to gas hot corrosion pre-exposure

The influence of gas high-temperature hot corrosion(HTHC) pre-exposure on low-cycle fatigue(LCF)behavior was characterized for the directionally solidified(DS) Ni-based superalloy DZ125. Fatigue tests were carried out at 850 ℃ in the pre-exposed and unexposed specimens for 2, 15 and 25 h. Experimental results show that the porous corrosion scale and γ′-depleted layer formed in gas hot corrosion condition alter the crack initiation mechanisms of the superalloy. Fatigue cracks of the pre-exposed specimens originate from multiple surface locations where spalling of the corrosion products occur,while nucleation of unexposed specimen begins in the defects close to the surface. There is a significant reduction in LCF behavior for pre-exposed specimens in comparison with unexposed specimens.

Low-cycle Fatigue Behaviors of an As-extruded Mg-12%Gd-3%Y-0.5%Zr Alloy

Cyclic deformation and fatigue behaviors of Mg-12%Gd-3%Y-0.5%Zr （wt%, GW123K） alloy were investigated at room temperature under axial cyclic loading in strain controlled condition. It is shown that conventional extruded GW123K alloy maintained cyclic stability at strain amplitudes ranging from 2 × 10^-3 to 10^-2. The pronounced symmetric hysteresis loops were also observed during cyclic loading. Fracture surface observations indicated that fatigue cracks mainly initiated at large Gd-riched phase or at inclusion clusters at surface or subsurface, and grain boundary （GB） and slip bands （SBs） are also preferential sites for micro-crack incubation.

Effects of Crystal Orientations on the Low-Cycle Fatigue of a Single-Crystal Nickel-Based Superalloy at 980 °C

The influence of crystal orientations on the low-cycle fatigue(LCF) behavior of a 3Re-bearing Ni-based single-crystal superalloy at 980 °C has been investigated. It is found that the orientation dependence of the fatigue life not only depends on the elastic modulus, but also the number of active slip planes and the plasticity of materials determine the LCF life,especially for the [011] and [111] specimens. The [011] and [111] specimens with better plasticity withstand relatively concentrated inelastic deformation caused by fewer active slip planes, compared to the [001] specimens resisting widespread deformation caused by a higher number of active slip planes. Additionally, fatigue fracture is also influenced by cyclic plastic deformation mechanisms of the alloy with crystal orientations, and the [001] specimens are plastically deformed by wave slip mechanism and fracture along the non-crystallographic plane, while the [011] and [111] specimens are plastically deformed by planar slip mechanism and fracture along the crystallographic planes. Moreover, casting pores,eutectics, inclusions and surface oxide layers not only initiate the crack, but also reduce the stress concentration around crack tips. Our results throw light upon the effect of inelastic strain on the LCF life and analyze the cyclic plastic deformation for the alloy with different orientations.

Influences of Re on low-cycle fatigue behaviors of single crystal superalloys at intermediate temperature

Low-cycle fatigue behaviors of Ni-base single crystal superalloys containing different Re contents have been investigated at 760℃. During heat treatment. Reretards γ phases coarsening and equalizes the distribution of γ' phases. As Re content increases, fatigue life increases and slip bands distribute more inhomogeneously. Moreover, adding Re not only reduces stacking fault energy of the matrix, but also promotes the element segregation to increase the lattice misfit. However, the larger lattice misfit does not lead to the formation of dislocation networks, but which activates dislocation movement and promotes dislocations cross-slip and climbing movement under high temperature and applied stress. On the other hand, with the addition of Re, cyclic deformation behaviors change from cyclic hardening to cyclic stability, mainly depending on a transformation of deformation mechanisms from slip bands cutting through γ and γ' phases to stacking faults shearing.