Mode I and mode II fatigue crack growth resistance characteristics of high tempered 65G steel

Abstract

Purpose: To investigate the fatigue crack growth at normal tension and transverse shear of 65G steel with the high tempered martensite microstructure and to build an appropriate fatigue crack growth rate curves. To determine the main and auxiliary fatigue crack growth resistance characteristics, which are necessary for machine parts life-time estimation at rolling contact fatigue conditions. Design/methodology/approach: For determination of fatigue crack growth resistance at normal tension a standard compact specimens with edge crack were tested using a hydraulic testing machine and fatigue testing at transverse shear were performed on the I-beam specimens with the edge longitudinal crack using the original testing setup. For crack growth measurement an optical cathetometer B-630 was used. The crack growth rate V was calculated as crack length increment during loading cycles. The stress intensity factor range K was determined by dependence "K = (1 – R)Kmax accordingly to the standard test methods. To establish crack faces friction factor at transverse shear fragments of fractured beam specimen containing crack faces were cut out and tested as a friction pair according to Amontons Coulomb's law. On the base of test results the fatigue crack growth rate curves in logarithmic coordinates "K vs. V were built. These graphical dependencies for normal tension and transverse shear were used for determination of fatigue crack growth resistance characteristics: fatigue threshold "Kth, fracture toughness "Kfc, "K1-2 and "K2-3 which indicates the beginning and the end of middle-amplitude region of curve, "K*, parameters C and n of Paris’s equation. Metallographic and fractographic analyses were performed on the scanning electronic microscope Zeiss EVO 40XVP. Findings: Empirical dependences of the stress intensity factor range on fatigue crack growth rate at normal tension and transverse shear of 65G steel with the high tempered martensite microstructure are obtained. Based on these graphical dependencies the fatigue thresholds and fracture toughness as well as the parameters of Paris’s equation are determined. Research limitations/implications: The fatigue crack growth on 65G steel under low-, medium- and high-amplitude cyclic loading at normal tension and transverse shear was investigated. The fatigue crack growth rate values for a wide range of stress intensity factor are estimated. On the base of fractographical analysis the features of fracture of high tempered martensite in 65G steel at transverse shear are studied. It is shown that the transverse shear crack faces friction factor for high tempered martensite structure is less than for low tempered martensite. Practical implications: Using the fatigue crack growth resistance characteristics of 65G steel at normal tension and transverse shear and related fatigue crack growth rate curves it is possible to predict the life-time of machine parts made of steels with high tempered martensite structure, working at rolling contact fatigue conditions. Originality/value: Complete fatigue crack growth rate curves of 65G steel with tempered martensite structure at normal tension and transverse shear are built and the fatigue crack growth resistance characteristics for both modes of fracture are determined for the first time.