FATIGUE MACROCRACK GROWTH IN TEMPERED HY80, HY130, AND 4140 STEELS:THRESHOLD AND MID-?K RANGE

Abstract

— –The rate of propagation of macrofatigue cracks down to near threshold was measured in air in three tempered martensitic steels; HY80, HY130 and 4140 (650°C temper). The value of ΔKth was determined by the load-shedding technique in center notched panel specimens. Of the three steels, 4140 tempered at 650°C had the lowest ΔKth, 3–5 MN/m3/2, while HY80 had the highest, 4.2 MN/m3/2. The 4140 (650°C temper) is intermediate in strength between HY80 and HY130. The results are discussed in terms of a recent theory of one of the authors. The fatigue crack propagation rates in the mid-ΔKrange in HY80 and HY130 in argon were also studied by measuring, with foil strain gages, the cyclic plastic work to propagate a fatigue crack by a unit area, U.HY80 has a lower crack propagation rate and correspondingly higher U.This was attributed in part to the higher yield strength of HY130 but the dislocation structure and carbide composition and morphology also play roles. Microstructural changes due to cyclic plastic deformation inside the plastic zone in HY80 and HY130 were observed by TEM of thin foils. SEM studies of the fracture surfaces at ΔK= 20 MN/m3/2 indicate a more ductile fracture mode for HY80 than for HY130. The fatigue crack propagation rate of HY130 is substantially higher in laboratory air (47% relative humidity) than in dry argon. This is not the case for HY80.