Fracture toughness prediction of thermally-aged welded stainless steels using multi-axial fracture strain FE damage model

Abstract

Thermal ageing constant “C” concept was applied with multi-axial fracture strain FE damage model to predict the fracture toughness of aged gas tungsten arc weld (GTAW) type 316L stainless steel (SS). Although the model was developed for cast stainless steel (CASS), it showed good agreement with GTAW SS. Then, a study was conducted to find the relationship between the fracture toughness of aged GTAW SS and ductility-related variables such as reduction of area (R.A), multi-axial fracture strain or thermal ageing constant “C”. And it was found out that the thermal ageing constant “C” has a linear relation with the fracture toughness of aged GTAW SS.