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.

Research into Applicability of Wöhler Curve Method for Low-Cycle Fatigue of Metallic Materials

Recently,a description on a practicability of the Wöhler Curve Method for low-cycle fatigue of metals was given by the author.By the description and the low cycle fatigue test data of 16 MnR steel,it is important to show that,for low cycle fatigue of metals,such a way that a stress-based intensity parameter calculated by the linear-elastic analysis is taken to be a stress intensity parameter,S,to establish a relationship between the stress intensity parameter,S,and the fatigue life,N,is practicable.In this paper,many metallic materials from the literature are given to show that the Wöhler Curve Method is well suitable for low-cycle fatigue analysis of metals.

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.

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.

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.

TEMPERATURE EFFECT ON LOW-CYCLE FATIGUE BEHAVIOR OF NICKEL-BASED SINGLE CRYSTALLINE SUPERALLOY

The low-cycle fatigue （LCF） behavior of a nickel-based single crystal superalloy with [001] orientation was studied at an intermediate temperature of T0℃ and a higher temperature of To ＋ 250℃ under a constant low strain rate of 10^-3 s^-1 in ambient atmosphere. The superalloy exhibited cyclic tension-compression asymmetry which is dependent on the temperature and applied strain amplitude. Analysis on the fracture surfaces showed that the surface and subsurface casting micropores were the major crack initiation sites. Interior Ta-rich carbides were frequently observed in all specimens. Two distinct types of fracture were suggested by fractogaphy. One type was characterized by Mode-I cracking with a microscopically rough surface at To ＋ 250℃. Whereas the other type at lower temperature T0℃ favored either one or several of the octahedral {111} planes, in contrast to the normal Mode-I growth mode typically observed at low loading frequencies （several Hz）. The failure mechanisms for two cracking modes are shearing of γ＇ precipitates together with the matrix at T0℃ and cracking confined in the matrix and the γ/γ＇interface at To - 250℃.

Low-cycle Fatigue Properties of an Ultrafine-grained Magnesium Alloy Processed by Equal-channel Angular Pressing

Magnesium alloy Mg-3%Al-1%Zn （AZ31） billets prepared from equal channel angular pressing （ECAP） were utilized in low-cycle fatigue tests in order to investigate their fatigue life. Fully reversed strain-controlled tension-compression fatigue tests were conducted at the frequency of 1 Hz in ambient air. The microstructures were examined by optical microscopy （OM） and scanning electron microscopy （SEM）. The hysteresis loops of the ECAP processed and conventionally extruded samples display obviously different shapes in the total strain amplitude range from 0.2% to 0.6%. Accordingly, the low cycle fatigue lives of ECAP processed samples are found to be longer than those of extruded samples, which can be attributed to the different in the hysteresis energy incorporating tensile strain energy.

Low-cycle Fatigue Behavior of Ni-based Superalloy GH586 with Laser Shock Processing

Low-cycle fatigue behavior of Ni-based superalloy GH586 with laser shock processing（LSP） was investigated. The residual stress of the specimens treated with LSP was assessed by X-ray diffraction method. The microstructure and fracture morphology were characterized by using an optical microscope（OM）, a scanning electron microscope（SEM）, and a transmission electron microscope（TEM）. The results indicated that the maximum residual compressive stress was at about 1 mm from the shocking spot center, where the residual compressive stress was slightly lower. High density tangling dislocations, dislocation walls, and dislocation cells in the microstructure of the specimens treated with LSP effectively prevented fatigue cracks propagation. The fatigue life was roughly twice as long as that of the specimens without LSP. The fatigue crack initiation（FCI） in specimens treated with LSP was observed in the lateral section and the subsurface simultaneously. The fatigue striation in the fracture treated with LSP was narrower than that in the untreated specimens. Moreover, dimples with tear ridges were found in the fatigued zones of the LSP treated specimens, which would be caused by severe plastic deformation.

Low-cycle fatigue behavior of K416B Ni-based superalloy at 650 ℃

A study on the low-cycle fatigue(LCF)behavior of K 416 B alloy was conducted at 650℃.According to the results,the LCF behavior of K 416 B alloy at 650℃ is mainly manifested as elastic deformation and the fatigue life of the alloy is determined by the level of material strength.When tension-compression fatigue occurs,the deformation mechanism of the alloy is reflected in the form of dislocation slip,and the deformation dislocations are bowed out in the matrix by Orowan mechanism,which leads to a dislocation configuration similar to the Frawk-Reed source.At the late stage of low-cycle fatigue,the fatigue-induced cracks develop from the alloy surface.As fatigue test proceeds,it is possible for the cracks to continue development along the regions of eutectic and the bulk M 6 C carbide due to stress concentration,thus causing the alloy to show cleavage fracture.

Low-cycle fatigue behaviour of Mg-9Gd-4Y-2Zn-0.5Zr alloys with different structures

The strain-controlled cyclic deformation behaviour of Mg-9Gd-4Y-2Zn-0.5Zr with different structures was investigated. Alloys were prepared by solution, extrusion and pre-ageing extrusion, and the microstructures before and after the fatigue tests were characterized.Experimental results indicated that the bimodal structure owned the better performance in fatigue test, which was attributed to the higher yield strength. For the equiaxed structure, cyclic hardening induced stress concentration until the failure. Stable cyclic deformation and persistent cyclic softening played an important role at the low and high strain amplitudes, respectively. This was attributed to the formation of fine grains relieving the stress concentration during cyclic loading. In addition, residual twins were observed in equiaxed structure to induce crack, and the bimodal structure effectively restrain it.

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.

Investigation of low-cycle fatigue behavior of austenitic stainless steel for cold-stretched pressure vessels

Cold-stretched pressure vessels from austenitic stainless steels （ASS） are widely used for storage and transportation of liquefied gases, and have such advantages as thin wall and light weight. Fatigue is an important concern in these pressure vessels, which are subjected to alternative loads. Even though several codes and standards have guidelines on these pressure vessels, there are no relevant design methods on fatigue failure. To understand the fatigue properties of ASS 1.4301 （equivalents include UNS $30400 and AISI 304） in solution-annealed （SA） and cold-stretched conditions （9% strain level） and the response of fatigue properties to cold stretching （CS）, low-cycle fatigue （LCF） tests were performed at room temperature, with total strain amplitudes ranging from ：~0.4% to ＂0.8%. Martensite transformations were measured during the tests. Comparisons on cyclic stress response, cyclic stress-strain behavior, and fatigue life were carried out between SA and CS materials. Results show that CS reduces the initial hardening stage, but prolongs the softening period in the cyclic stress response. Martensite transformation helps form a stable regime and subsequent secondary hardening. The stresses of monotonic and cyclic stress-strain curves are improved by CS, which leads to a lower plastic strain and a much higher elastic strain. The fatigue resistance of the CS material is better than that of the SA material, which is approximately 1 - 103 to 2 - 104 cycles. The S-N curve of the ASME standard for ASS is compared with the fatigue data and is justified to be suitable for the fatigue design of cold-stretched pressure vessels. However, considering the CS material has a better fatigue resistance, the S-N curve will be more conservative. The present study would be helpful in making full use of the advantages of CS to develop a new S-N curve for fatigue design of cold-stretched pressure vessels.

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.

Microstructural features of Ti-6Al-4V manufactured via high power laser directed energy deposition under low-cycle fatigue

Laser additive manufacturing(LAM)technique has unique advantages in producing geometrically complex metallic components.However,the poor low-cycle fatigue property(LCF)of LAM parts restricts its widely used.Here,the microstructural features of a Ti-6 Al-4 V alloy manufactured via high power laser directed energy deposition subjected to low-cycle fatigue loading were studied.Before fatigue loading,the microstructure of the as-deposited parts was found to exhibit a non-homogeneous distribution of columnar prior-βgrains(200-4000μm)at various scanning velocities(300-1500 mm/min)and relatively coarseα-laths(1.0-4.5μm).Under cyclic loading,fatigue microcracks typically initiated within the alignedαphases in the preferred orientation(45°to the loading direction)at the surface of the fatigue specimens.Fatigued Ti-6 Al-4 V exhibited a single straight dislocation character at low strain amplitudes(<0.65%)and dislocation dipoles or even tangled dislocations at high strain amplitudes(>1.1%).In addition,dislocation substructure features,such as dislocation walls,stacking faults,and dislocation networks,were also observed.These findings may provide opportunities to understand the fatigue failure mechanism of additive manufactured titanium parts.

Low-Cycle Fatigue and Creep-Fatigue Behaviors of a Second-Generation Nickel-Based Single-Crystal Superalloy at 760℃

Low-cycle fatigue(LCF)behaviors of a second-generation nickel-based single-crystal superalloys with[001]orientation at 760℃ have been investigated.Different strain amplitudes were introduced to investigate the creep-fatigue effects.The LCF life of none tensile holding(NTH)was higher than that of the 60-s tensile hold(TH)at any strain amplitude.As the strain amplitude was 0.7%,the stacking and cross-slip dislocations appeared together at the γ/γ’coherent microstructure in both TH and NTH specimens.At the strain amplitude of 0.9%,plenty of the cross-slip dislocations appeared inγchannel and other dislocations were stacking at γ/γ’interfaces.However,the SFs still appeared in γ’phase with 60-s TH which caused cyclic softening.As the strain amplitude increased up to 1.2%,the dislocations are piling up at the γ/γ’interfaces and cutting through the γ’phase in both TH and NTH tests,which caused cyclic hardening.The influences of strain amplitude and holding time were complicated.Different stress response behaviors occurred in different loading conditions.The surface characteristic and fracture mechanism were observed by scanning electron microscopy.This result is helpful for building the relationship of various blade fatigue failure modes,cyclic stress response and microstructure deformation under different strain amplitudes.

Low-Cycle Fatigue Properties of Nickel-Based Superalloys Processed by High-Gradient Directional Solidification

The low-cycle fatigue （LCF） properties of DD10 （single-crystal） and DZ53 （columnar-grained） superalloys solidified by liquid-metal cooling （LMC） and high-rate solidification （HRS） processes have been systematically investi- gated. It was found that the LCF life of DZ53 solidified by LMC was obviously better than that solidified by HRS. In contrast, for DD10, LMC showed no remarkable influences on LCF properties at high temperature and only improved LCF properties at intermediate temperature. Microstructure examination showed that the cracks generally initiated at microp- ores in the subsurface at intermediate temperature. However, the cracks occurred on the surface due to oxidation, or persistent slip bands near script-MC at high temperature. Therefore, the benefits of LMC technique can be attributed to both of the reduced casting defects which significantly affect the LCF properties at intermediate temperature and the improved microstructural homogeneity which was strongly correlated to the LCF properties of alloys at high temperature.