Fatigue Strength of Ferrite-Martensite 12% Chromium Steels EK-181, EP-823 and Vanadium Alloy V–4Ti–4Cr

Abstract

Static and fatigue strength at room temperature under conditions of repeated stretching of lowactivated ferrite-martensite 12% chromium steels EK-181 (Fe–12Cr–2W–V–Ta heat treatment + aging in lead at 600°C, 3000 h), EP-823 (Fe–12Cr–W–V–Ni–Mo–Nb, annealed condition), and alloy V–4Ti–4Cr (heat treatment + aging in lead at 600°C, 3000 h) were studied. It was shown that for materials there is straight-line dependence between the level of rupture resistance values and fatigue strength. The maximum fatigue limit of 600 MPa appears in steel EK-181 after a standard heat treatment and aging in lead at 600°C, 3000 h, and the minimal one of 300 MPa is observed in vanadium and V–4Ti–4Cr alloys. The fatigue failure mechanism is predominately of ductile character for all materials studied. The fatigue cracking originates near the surface and in some cases clustering of nonmetallic inclusions is the place of origin. The fatigue crack propagation is related to formation of a typical striation relief. Significant distinctions in the fracture surface relief of specimens after standard heat treatment and aging in liquid lead are not observed.