SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH
Identification of fracture toughness parameters to understand the fracture resistance of advanced high strength sheet steels
Engineering Fracture Mechanics
by D. Frómeta, S.Parareda, A.Lara, S.Molas (Eurecat), D.Casellas (Eurecat and Luleå University of Technology), P.Jonsén (Luleå University of Technology) and J.Calvo (Polytechnic University of Catalonia).
The fracture toughness of four advanced high strength steel (AHSS) thin sheets is evaluated through different characterization methodologies, with the aim of identifying the most relevant toughness parameters to describe their fracture resistance. The investigated steels are: a Complex Phase steel, a Dual Phase steel, a Trip-Aided Bainitic Ferritic steel and a Quenching and Partitioning steel. Their crack initiation and propagation resistance is assessed by means of J-integral measurements, essential work of fracture tests and Kahn-type tear tests. The results obtained from the different methodologies are compared and discussed, and the influence of different parameters such as specimen geometry or notch radius is investigated. Crack initiation resistance parameters are shown to be independent of the specimen geometry and the testing method. However, significant differences are found in the crack propagation resistance values. The results show that, when there is a significant energetic contribution from necking during crack propagation, the specific essential work of fracture (we) better describes the overall fracture resistance of thin AHSS sheets than JC. In contrast, energy values obtained from tear tests overestimate the crack propagation resistance and provide a poor estimation of AHSS fracture performance. we is concluded to be the most suitable parameter to describe the global fracture behaviour of AHSS sheets and it is presented as a key property for new material design and optimization.
Investigation of Mechanical Tests for Hydrogen Embrittlement in Automotive PHS Steels
Metal Journal, Special Issue “Hydrogen Embrittlement of Metallic Materials: Past, Present and Future”
by Renzo Valentini (University of Pisa), Michele Maria Tedesco (Centro Riserche Fiat) , Serena Corsinovi , Linda Bacchi and Michele Villa (Letomec).
The problem of hydrogen embrittlement in ultra-high-strength steels is well known. In this study, slow strain rate, four-point bending, and permeation tests were performed with the aim of characterizing innovative materials with an ultimate tensile strength higher than 1000 MPa. Hydrogen uptake, in the case of automotive components, can take place in many phases of the manufacturing process: during hot stamping, due to the presence of moisture in the furnace atmosphere, high-temperature dissociation giving rise to atomic hydrogen, or also during electrochemical treatments such as cataphoresis. Moreover, possible corrosive phenomena could be a source of hydrogen during an automobile’s life. This series of tests was performed here in order to characterize two press-hardened steels (PHS)—USIBOR 1500® and USIBOR 2000®—to establish a correlation between ultimate mechanical properties and critical hydrogen concentration.