FRACTURE CHARACTERISTICS OF TWO HIGH-STRENGTH, LOW-ALLOY AND TWO STAINLESS STEELS

The fracture characteristics of two high-strength, low-alloy structural steels (ASTM A-588 and A-242) and two stainless steels (AISI 416 and 17-4PH) were analyzed under tensile, fatigue, and impact loading conditions. The effects of hydrogen- and temper-embrittlement on the materials' behavior when fractured under tensile and fatigue conditions were investigated. The structural steels were found to be unsusceptible to temper-embrittlement. ASTM A-588 was found to be susceptible to hydrogen- embrittlement; A-242 was not found susceptible, but this could be attributed to the abnormally low toughness condition of the as-received material. The stainless steels were found to be unsusceptible to the hydrogen-charging procedure performed in this study. Mechanical tests showed large variations in values for the tempered stainless steel specimens, although the fracture surfaces appeared very similar. These findings reaffirmed the generally accepted concept that visual observation is not a sufficient method for determining temper-embrittlement, but must be combined with mechanical testing to reach valid conclusions. /Author/

• Corporate Authors:

  Army Construction Engineering Research Laboratory

  P.O. Box 4005
  Champaign, IL  United States  61820
• Authors:
  • Scott, J K
  • Cox, E P
• Publication Date: 1977-1

Media Info

• Features: Figures; References; Tables;
• Pagination: 54 p.

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Alloy steel; Embrittlement; Fatigue (Mechanics); Fracture mechanics; Hydrogen; Impacts; Stainless steel; Steel; Strength of materials; Tempering; Tension
• Old TRIS Terms: Tensile load
• Subject Areas: Bridges and other structures; Highways;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00149826
• Record Type: Publication
• Report/Paper Numbers: CERL-IR-M-200 Intrm Rpt.
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Apr 27 1977 12:00AM