Effects of Temperature and Strain Rate on Low-Cycle Fatigue Behavior of a 12Cr Martensitic Stainless Steel SUS 403-B

Abstract

Low-cycle fatigue tests were carried out on a Type 403 martensitic stainless steel at room temperature, 400, 500, and 600°C. The strain rates of triangular wave forms used were 40, 4 and 0.4%/min. Cyclic softening behavior was observed at each test condition. The effect of strain rate on low-cycle fatigue lives was scarcely observed. The temperature dependence of low-cycle fatigue life for a given plastic strain range coincides qualitatively with that of reduction of area in tensile test. However, it cannot be explained quantitatively by the Manson's equation. The fatigue lives estimated by Tomkins' analysis coincide with experimental values when Δε_p(Δσ/σ_u)² is used as a mechanical parameter.