Papers by Author: Jaroslav Polák

Abstract: Thermomechanical fatigue experiments were performed with austenitic stainless Sanicro 25 steel. Several amplitudes of mechanical strain in a wide temperature interval (250-700 °C) were applied to the specimens. Mechanical response was recorded and fatigue lives were obtained. Scanning electron microscopy combined with FIB technique was used to study the mechanism of crack initiation in in-phase and in out-of-phase thermomechanical cycling. Different mechanisms of the crack initiation were found in these two types of loading. During in-phase loading fatigue cracks start in grain boundaries by cracking of the oxide. Cracks grew preferentially along grain boundaries which resulted in rapid crack initiation and low fatigue life. In out-of-phase loading multiple cracks perpendicular to the stress axis developed only after sufficiently thick oxide layer was formed and cracked in low temperature loading half-cycle. The cracks in oxide allowed localized repeated oxidation and finally also cracking. The cracks grow transgranularly and result in longer fatigue life.

Abstract: Two fatigued materials with f.c.c. lattice, i.e. pure polycrystalline copper and austenitic Sanicro 25 stainless steel, were subjected to the study of the persistent slip markings (PSMs) developed on the surface of the suitably oriented grains. They were observed using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and thin surface FIB lamellae were prepared and studied by transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The aim was to correlate the specimen surface profile with the underlying internal dislocation structure. The localization of the intensive cyclic slip into persistent slip bands (PSBs) of the material was observed and associated with the PSMs on the specimen surface. Extrusions, intrusions and the dislocation structure appertaining to them were analysed, documented and discussed in relation to the models of fatigue crack initiation.

Abstract: In-situ Low Cycle Fatigue test (LCF) at temperature 635 °C have been performed in SEM on flat specimen ofcast Inconel 713LC superalloy. The aim of the investigation was to studymechanisms of the fatigue damage during elastic-plastic cycling by theobservations of the characteristic surface relief evolution and theaccompanying internal dislocation structures. The selected locations on thesurface were systematically studied in-situ and documented by SEM and usingAFM. The surface relief in the first tensile half-cycle was formed by numerousslip steps on the primary slip planes (111). In the following compressionhalf-cycle additional opposite slip were formed. The relief was modified in thenext cycles but without forming additionally new slip traces in the primarysystem. The reorientation of two grains in the gauge area was measured usingEBSD. At the end of cyclic loading the relation between surface persistent slipmarkings and persistent slip bands in the interior of the material wasdocumented by TEM on lamella prepared by FIB. The early stages of extrusion andintrusion formation were documented. The damage mechanism evolution is closelyconnected with the cyclic strain localization to the persistent slip bands thatare also places of fatigue crack initiation.

Abstract: Atomic force microscopy (AFM) and focused ion beam technique (FIB) were adopted to study the early stages of surface relief evolution in 316L steel and polycrystalline copper fatigued with constant plastic strain amplitudes at different temperatures (316L steel at 93, 173 and 573 K; copper at 83, 173 and 295 K). Qualitative and quantitative data on the morphology and shape of persistent slip markings (PSMs), occurrence of extrusions and intrusions and the kinetics of extrusion growth are reported. They are discussed in relation with recent physically based theories of surface relief formation leading to fatigue crack initiation.

Abstract: Cyclic plastic straining in crystalline materials is localized to persistent slip bands (PSBs) and results in formation of persistent slip markings (PSMs) consisting of extrusions and intrusions. Intensive plastic strain in PSBs results in dislocation interactions and formation of point defects. The extended model based on point defect formation, migration and annihilation is presented describing surface relief formation in the form of extrusion-intrusion pairs. Point defect migration and resulting mass transfer is the principle source of cyclic slip irreversibility leading to crack-like defects - intrusions. Fatigue cracks start in the tip of sharp intrusions.

Abstract: Flat specimen of 316L steel was cyclically pre-deformed with constant plastic strain amplitude to early stage of fatigue life relevant to the period of cyclic strain localization and fatigue crack initiation. To document slip activity and reversibility/irreversibility of persistent slip bands (PSBs) in situ experiments in the high-resolution SEMFEG under special imaging conditions were performed. The half-and full-cycle slip activity and distribution of plastic strain within PSBs in individual grains were investigated via slip steps generated in half-and full-cycle deformation after intermediate vibration polishing. After completion of in situ tests the surface topography in identical locations was quantitatively documented using atomic force microscopy (AFM).

Abstract: Persistent slip markings (PSMs) were experimentally studied in 316L steel fatigued to early stages of the fatigue life. High resolution SEM, combined with focused ion beam (FIB) technique and atomic force microscopy (AFM) were used to assess the true shape of PSMs in their early stage of development. General features of PSMs in fatigued metals are extrusions and intrusions. Their characteristic features were determined. They were discussed in relation with the theories of surface relief formation and fatigue crack initiation based on the formation, migration and annihilation of point defects in the bands of intensive cyclic slip - persistent slip bands (PSBs)

Abstract: High temperature low cycle fatigue behaviour of cast nickel-based superalloy Inconel 738LC in as-received condition and coated with an Al-Si diffusion layer was studied. The Al-Si protective layer was deposited on the gauge section of cylindrical specimens using the slurry technique. Fatigue tests were performed on cylindrical specimens under total strain control in symmetrical cycle at 800 °C in air. The coating has a beneficial effect on fatigue life in the low amplitude domain. The stress response of the coated material is higher for high amplitudes in comparison with the uncoated one. Fracture surfaces and sections parallel to the specimen axis have been examined to study fatigue damage mechanisms.

Abstract: Effect of tensile dwell on low cycle fatigue of cast Inconel 792-5A is studied in symmetrical strain cycling at 800°C. Cyclic hardening/softening curves, cyclic stress-strain curves (CSSC) and fatigue life curves were obtained in continuous cycling and in cycling with tensile dwells. Dwells have slight effect on hardening/softening curves at high strain amplitudes. CSSC in cycling with dwells is shifted to lower stress amplitudes. No significant effect of dwells on Basquin curves is observed. Density of slip markings in continuous cycling is significantly higher in comparison with cycling with dwells. Samples cycled with dwells are typical of high density of secondary cracks, although sporadic slip markings were also found.

Abstract: Cyclic multiple step test in strain control have been performed on cylindrical specimens of cast polycrystalline Inconel 738LC and 792-5A superalloys at 800 °C in laboratory atmosphere. Hysteresis loops were analyzed according to the statistical theory of hysteresis loop. The effective and internal stress components were evaluated. The effective stress of γ´ precipitate has significant influence on the stress-strain response both materials. The stress amplitude in IN 792-5A is higher than in IN 738LC at approximately same total strain amplitude due to significantly higher effective stress of γ´ phase. Cyclic hardening/softening curves and cyclic stress-strain curves using short-cut procedure were obtained. Cyclic hardening/softening behavior depends both on temperature and strain amplitude. Low amplitude straining is characterized by the saturation of the stress amplitude. In high amplitude straining slight softening was found. The cyclic stress-strain curves for both materials can be fitted by power law. Cyclic stress-strain response in terms of internal and effective stress components is discussed in relation to microstructural parameters of the materials. The observation of surface relief revealed the presence of persistent slip markings.