Quantitative Assessment and Analysis of Non-Masing Behavior of Materials under Fatigue

Abstract

Quantitative assessment of non-Masing behavior is studied, and a new method is proposed for the estimation of cyclic plastic strain energy density and fatigue life. Low cycle fatigue tests were performed on 304L stainless steel employing strain amplitudes ranging from ±0.25% to ±1.0% at a strain rate of 3 × 10-3 s-1. The material exhibited Masing behavior at lower strain amplitudes and non-Masing behavior at higher strain amplitudes. Secondary hardening was observed at relatively higher strain amplitudes. Both the secondary hardening and non-Masing response were found to be associated with the deformation induced martensitic transformation. The master curve approach, which is generally used for the analysis of non-Masing response, could not be used as experimental data could not be represented in the form of a master curve. The proposed method of quantification of non-Masing response could estimate the cyclic plastic strain energy density of 304L stainless steel well within a scatter band of 1.2. The fatigue life of 304L stainless steel could also be predicted within a scatter band of 2. The proposed approach could also estimate the cyclic plastic strain energy density and fatigue life of materials of different grades within scatter factors of 1.2 and 2, respectively.