Effect of Plasma Marking on the Fatigue Properties of Grade 50W Steel

High-strength low-alloy (HSLA) weathering steels are the conventional material used for nonredundant fracture-critical members in bridge construction. Guidelines from state departments of transportation (DOTs) prevent material suppliers from scribing marks which remain on the surface of fracture-critical members when in service due to the possibility of degrading mechanical properties. Currently, any automated scribe marking, namely mechanical milling, is either cut from the end of the part, or welded over, thereby effectively removing it before service. All other markings are either manually die-stamped, or spray-painted on, which can be accidentally removed during sand blasting or shipping. Safe automated methods of scribing fracture-critical members are needed such that markings will remain throughout the production process but will not compromise the integrity over the lifetime of the part. In this study, a microstructural evaluation of 50W (or 345W) weathering steel was conducted to characterize the effect of plasma markings on microstructure and mechanical properties. S-N curves generated through fatigue testing showed no measurable difference in fatigue life between marked and unmarked material.

• Record URL:
  https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)MT.1943-5533.0001588
• Availability:
  • Find a library where document is available. Order URL: http://worldcat.org/issn/08991561
• Supplemental Notes:
  • © 2016 American Society of Civil Engineers.
• Authors:
  • Kesler, Michael S
  • Feldtmann, Peter
  • George, Edward S
  • Duke, Steven M
  • Manuel, Michele V
• Publication Date: 2016-9

Language

• English

Media Info

• Media Type: Web
• Features: References;
• Pagination: 04016080
• Serial:
  • Journal of Materials in Civil Engineering
  • Volume: 28
  • Issue Number: 9
  • Publisher: American Society of Civil Engineers
  • ISSN: 0899-1561
  • EISSN: 1943-5533
  • Serial URL: http://ascelibrary.org/journal/jmcee7

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Bridge construction; Bridge members; Fatigue (Mechanics); Low alloy steel; Mechanical properties; State departments of transportation; Weathering steel
• Subject Areas: Bridges and other structures; Highways; Materials;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01598362
• Record Type: Publication
• Files: TRIS, ASCE
• Created Date: May 2 2016 10:15AM