Papers by Author: Tamaz Eterashvili

Abstract: The development of structural changes at the nanoscale in the austenitic chromium-nickel steels used in the nuclear power industry is studied after Low-Cycle Fatigue (LCF) deformation. The reasons and mechanism of the nanocracks formation due to the structural relaxation in the regions of localized residual internal stresses in slip bands and grain boundaries are discussed. It showed that the locations and distribution of LCF slip bands in the process of microplastic deformation depend on the material’s microstructure.

Abstract: TEM study of junctions between martensite packets (laths) and their microstructure in low-carbon martensitic steel were studied. It was revealed that formation of slip bands commences at junctions between laths. Heavy changes in microstructure occur at junctions of packets and in the near-boundary laths because of plastic deformation of martensite. A number of typical junctions between the laths after LCF are considered. Deformation process within the individual packet occurs inhomogeneously, some of the laths deform more heavily than the others. The coarser slip bands group within large laths and run along their whole lengths. It was shown that the above microstructure changes strongly affect the cyclic fracture of the steel. Some concrete sites of microcrack initiation are indicated.

Abstract: The joining points between martensite packets (laths) and their microstructure in low-carbon martensitic steel were TEM studied. In order to determine the real microstructure of the packet, martensite examinations were conducted before low-cycle fatigue (LCF) tests, considering the structure of the packets and types of their joining. The changes in microstructure occurred in the above places after austenite-martensite transformation were also analyzed. It was shown that after jointing some packets initiate arch-like contours in the laths, exhibiting a presence of local stresses. Several types of joints are considered, including the penetration of laths of one packet into that of neighboring one. It was revealed that the microstructure changes are exhibited in joining points without any external deformation, and result in the localized plastic deformation at LCF. It is assumed that microcrack initiation and commencement of fatigue failure of the material should be expected to happen just in these areas. All the above is explained from point of view of the peculiarities of martensitic transformation.

Abstract: Distribution of fatigue cracks in chromium martensitic steel after low cycle fatigue (LCF) tests at room temperature has been studied using SEM, and the experimental evidences of localized plastic flow (LPF) are presented. The influence of the location of LPF and the microstructure elements on the trajectory and growth of microcracks is also considered. The dimensions of plastic zones ahead of macrocrack tip as well as at its edges were measured in the process of crack propagation inside of the sample. The processes occurring in plastic zone, particularly ahead of macrocrack tip, were analyzed. Distribution, orientation and the reasons of slip bands’ formation as well as the microstructure elements at which they were nucleated have been studied. The impact of the slip bands’ orientation on the process of macrocrack growth was also analyzed. In addition the interactions of a crack with the boundaries of former austenite grains, martensitic packets, martensitic laths, slip bands and precipitates have been discussed.

Abstract: Crack propagation after low-cycle fatigue (LCF) deformation has been studied in the chromium martensitic structural steel. Although the study of a fundamental mechanism of fatigue crack growth has received much attention over the last decade, it still remains a sufficiently complex problem and needs full understanding. Moreover, the recent studies show that the cracks propagate discontinuously even on the millisecond timescale, and their growth rate significantly depends on a microstructure of the material. In the present work the boundaries of the former austenitic grains were revealed on the polished surfaces of the thermally treated samples, which subsequently were undergone low-cycle fatigue tests. The experimental studies show that fatigue macrocracks mainly grow along the boundaries of the former austenitic grains, and changetheir propagation direction when crossing the grain boundary, however, remain within 45 ̊ interval with regard the cycling axis. In particular cases, when the boundaries of a martensite packets and those of the former austenite grains lay along the length of a packet, the macrocrack is better formed and with regular borders. After a macrocrack reaches a definite length ~30-50μ, a microcrack is nucleated ahead of the macrocrack tip, and is oriented along the substructure element of the steel. Further deformation tests provide an increase in the length of the main crack via aggregation of microcracks initiated ahead of it during the LCF. In the cases when the macrocrack is deviated, slip bands are formed in martensitic structures along the boundaries of martensite packets (laths). A correlation is revealed between the microcrack components and the substructure elements of the steel as well. The same results were obtained by fractography of the tested and fractured samples. However, in the latter case correlation was established between the cleavage facets and the dimensions of packets.

Abstract: The microstructure changes, development of micro plastic deformation and formation and distribution of slip bands were studied. It is shown that development of micro deformation during LCF depends on loading conditions (amplitude and number of cycles) and microstructureIt is shown that as non-localized as well as localized micro plastic deformation takes place because of structural inhomogeneity. Supposedly, the localized deformation is related to the sites of internal stress concentration accumulated during the LCF.The effect of microstructure of structural steels on the rate of local cyclic deformation, leading to nucleation and growth of slip bands of fatigue cracks, was studied. The interaction of slip bands with precipitates, grain boundaries and low-angle boundaries were also analyzed.The sites of nucleation of primary and secondary slip bands were identified, and the following aspects were considered: 1. the possibility of microcrack nucleation on (or in) slip bands, 2. The kind of slip bands the slip bands may nucleate in, 3. The potential sites (except the slip bands) and reasons of nanocrack formation are specified.

Abstract: The work deals with the transmission electron microscopy (TEM) study of thin films of chromium-nickel Х18Н10 steel. The films were prepared from bulk samples after low cycle fatigue (LCF) tests. Focus was made on the processes accompanying propagation of small microcracks. Particularly, the microstructure changes near the crack tip were analyzed in terms of accommodation processes taking place during crack propagation, such as formation of slip bands, twins etc. The authors conducted crystallographic analysis of the defects formed during crack propagation in correlation with the reasons of their initiation and homogenous length of the slip bands. Thus, the reasons of microcrack deviation from the initial direction were determined. The research has shown that the most convenient microstructure variables in the austenitic crystals of polycrystalline sample, affecting the microcrack deviation, are microstructure, crystallography and the homogenous length of slip bands.

Abstract: Analysis of microcrack and mesocrack formation in austenitic steel thin filmsprepared after low-cycle fatigue (LCF) testsfrom bulk samples is presented using TEM techniques. Location, orientation and interaction of microcracks with microstructure components of the steel were determined. Plastic zone ahead of mesocrack tip and the structure changes in it were analyzed. Crystallography of slip bands and deformation twins and their relation with the microcrack propagation direction were also determined. The impact of grain anisotropy and inhomogeneous distribution of stress relaxation ahead of mesocrack tip in plastic zone were considered. Influence of sizes of mesocracks [ and microcracks and their relation with the trajectory and crystallography of propagation are also discussed.

Abstract: Austenitic chromium-nickel stainless steel CrNiNb 18-10 was studied using TEM technique. Characterizations of thin films prepared from bulk cylindrical samples after low-cycle fatigue (LCF) tests were conducted. Focus was made on the dislocation clusters, slip bands, defects and microstructure changes taking place in the steel during LCF. It is shown that microcracks occur in slip bands. Stereographic and trace analyses revealed the microcrack propagation directions. Two types of microcracks were observed: wedge-shaped and with parallel sides. The obtained results on possible reasons and mechanisms of microcrack formation in the above places are discussed in line with the theoretical assumptions and the existing literature.

Abstract: Low cycle fatigue of high-chromium 13Х11Н2В2МФ stainless steel has been studied after cyclic tests at room temperature with the frequency of loading, 0.45Hz and amplitude, ± 1mm. The samples were v-notched with the dimensions x2x50, where =3mm. The peculiarities of fatigue crack propagation and influence of heat treatment, sizes of grains and laths, and disposition of microcrack and microstructure elements of the steel were studied. Next, the main effect on propagation direction is caused by the shape of grains and laths. It turned apparent that main microcrack is composed of individual micro-components with the lengths correlating with the dimensions of grains and martensitic laths. During growth crack propagation direction changes from lath to lath; however, general trend remains unchanged. The results of tests indicate that speed of fatigue failure rises when the frequency and amplitude of loading increases. The work includes x-ray characterization of the steel, statistical distribution curve for angles between the main direction of macrocrack propagation and micro-components, and explanation of micro- and macrocrack propagation alteration is given.