Evaluation of crack resistance of 38KhN3MFA-Sh structural steel by fracture properties and elastic wave velocities

The results of the study on the effects of tempering temperature on 38KhN3MFA-Sh steel static strength and crack resistance are given. The fractured surface texture has been studied after various heat treatment modes using electron-fractography analysis. Relationships between the fracture properties and the critical stress intensity factor have been established. The effect of tempering temperature on the velocities of ultrasonic bulk waves has been investigated. A linear relationship has been found between the velocity of elastic waves and the critical stress intensity factor of 38KhN3MFA-Sh steel. The dependence discovered allows us to estimate the changes in crack resistance of steel using a non-destructive test method with variations in tempering temperature. The method of electron fractography has been used to analyze specimen fractures having a crack in structural high-quality 38KhN3MFA-Sh steel. Investigations of the fractured surface texture subjected to various heat treatment modes have shown that the microrelief is represented by flattened cone-shape pits. An increase in tempering temperature is accompanied by an increase in the diameter of flattened cone pits on the fractured surface. A quadratic dependence has been established between the crack resistance parameter and the diameter of the pits. It is shown that the contribution of ferrite matrix structural condition to crack resistance value is much more significant than the contribution of isolated carbides. The velocities of elastic waves in steel have been measured; their values increase with the growth of tempering temperature. The characteristics of strength and crack resistance of structural steel exposed to hightemperature tempering have been predicted based on the values of transverse wave velocities. Deviation of the predicted values of crack resistance K1С and ultimate strength σb from the experimental values does not exceed 5.4% and 12.6%, respectively.

Correlative Light-Electron Fractography of Interlaminar Fracture in a Carbon–Epoxy Composite

This work evaluates the use of light microscopes (LMs) as a tool for interlaminar fracture of polymer composite investigation with the aid of correlative fractography. Correlative fractography consists of an association of the extended depth of focus (EDF) method, based on reflected LM, with scanning electron microscopy (SEM) to evaluate interlaminar fractures. The use of these combined techniques is exemplified here for the mode I fracture of carbon–epoxy plain-weave reinforced composite. The EDF-LM is a digital image-processing method that consists of the extraction of in-focus pixels for each x-y coordinate in an image from a stack of Z-ordered digital pictures from an LM, resulting in a fully focused picture and a height elevation map for each stack. SEM is the most used tool for the identification of fracture mechanisms in a qualitative approach, with the combined advantages of a large focus depth and fine lateral resolution. However, LMs, with EDF software, may bypass the restriction on focus depth and present enough lateral resolution at low magnification. Finally, correlative fractography can provide the general comprehension of fracture processes, with the benefits of the association of different resolution scales and contrast modes.

Thermal Shock Induced Phases Transformation and Microstructural Changes in a Novel Hydrogen Transport Membrane

ABSTRACTBulk samples of a novel cermet (ceramic/metal composite) hydrogen transport membrane (HTM) were subjected to thermal cycling in the temperature range between 25-850°C to study phase transformations and microstructural changes under thermal shock. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and electron probe micro analyzer (EPMA) with energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS) were used to characterize the microstructural and chemical changes in the membrane upon thermal cycling. SEM & EPMA analyses indicated that the temperature gradient during thermal cycling produced more micro-cracks inside the HTM disc, whereas, the chemical reaction between Pd and oxygen to form PdO disturbed the continuity of the metal palladium (Pd) - Yttria Stabilized Zirconia (YSZ) dual phases interconnection system from surface down. The agglomerates of un-crystallized YSZ grains found to be the inherent in the cracks of the as-received HTM. A combination of trans-granular and inter-granular crack propagation results around the YSZ grains and the new precipitates. Based on the electron fractography analyses by both SEM and EPMA, the micro voids coalescence develops ahead of the crack tips in the cross-section of the HTM after 500 thermal cycles.

Effect of Load Spectra and Stress Magnitude on Crack Growth Behavior Variability from Typical Manufacturing Defects

DSTO conducted a comprehensive series of fatigue coupon tests as part of the fatigue life substantiation of the RAAF F/A-18 Hornet. The study employed five spectra which were applied to flat aluminium alloy 7050-T7451 coupons to determine the effects of manufacturing discontinuities and stress magnitude on the fatigue nucleation and crack growth behavior. Crack growth behavior was established using optical microscopy and scanning electron fractography, measuring crack sizes greater than approximately 0.05 mm. This paper reports the fraction of life to failure as well as the probability of occurrence of a crack with a defined size.