Anisotropic Behavior on Fatigue Properties of API 5L X42 Pipeline Steel

Abstract:

The fatigue endurance of API 5L X42 pipeline steel was assessed through axial fatigue tests amongst Longitudinal (L), Diagonal (D) and Circumferential (C) directions. The S-N fatigue life curves were linearized by the stress-life relationship provided in the ASTM E-739 Std., and fatigue strength exponent was calculated by the linear regression method. Results showed an anisotropic behavior of fatigue properties, which is mainly controlled by the pearlite banding degree (A_i) and the ferritic grain orientation parameter (Ω₁₂). The interactions of the fatigue crack tip with the microstructure during the crack propagation stage have a significant effect on fatigue endurance. The C direction with the lowest values of banding degree (A_i) and grain orientation parameter (Ω₁₂) showed the strongest fatigue endurance behavior. Furthermore, fatigue strength exponents exhibited significant directional dependence, representing a reduction of up to 20% in fatigue lifetime depending on the evaluated direction.

• Periodical: Key Engineering Materials (Volume 1035)
• Pages: 29-44
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.4028/p-EMK7bU
• Online since: December 2025
• Authors: Manuel A. Beltrán-Zúñiga*, Jorge Luis Gonzalez-Velázquez, Diego I. Rivas-López, Héctor J. Dorantes-Rosales, Carlos Ferreira-Palma, Felipe Hernández-Santiago, Fernando Larios-Flores
• Keywords: Anisotropic Behavior, Fatigue Lifetime, Mechanical Properties, Pipeline Steel

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