Inertia and damping influence the values of the stress intensity factors (SIFs) at high-frequency loading and they must be included in computations. In the present study, different dynamic simulation procedures were carried out for two types of specimen geometries and the achieved SIF values were compared. Fast computation procedures such as harmonic modal analysis and direct steady-state analysis were compared to the computationally expensive transient dynamic analysis. Two different methods for calculating the SIF, the J-integral and the crack tip opening displacement (CTOD) methods, were applied and compared and the results showed a near perfect agreement in calculation of the mode I SIF. The Rayleigh damping model was introduced into the dynamic computation to investigate its effect and the results revealed a clear effect on the SIF at 20 kHz frequency. The fast direct steady-state analysis showed good agreement to both harmonic modal and transient analysis with the different damping values used and is, after this study, the recommended procedure.

In the present study, the fatigue response of an additive manufactured H13 type hot-work tool steel is investigated across the High Cycle Fatigue (HCF) and Very High Cycle (VHCF) regimes. The primary focus encompasses the interpretation of fatigue strength models, the defect type analysis along with a detailed examination of crack initiation and growth mechanisms. Despite the tremendous development in AM technology, experimental data regarding advanced mechanical properties, and particularly fatigue behavior, are still limited. Here, microstructural analysis of a modified AMed H13 hot-work tool steel, a combination of HCF and VHCF testing methodologies implemented for the characterization of the fatigue behavior, as well as a thorough fractographic analysis of the fractured surfaces were performed. Results are compared with historical data of a conventionally ingot cast and forged grade to assess the influence of the AM process on the fatigue response of H13 hot-work tool steels. It proves to be comparable to the conventionally manufactured grade, showcasing the potential utilization of AM in the production of components used in high-demanding applications, and in hot work tooling applications. However, the type of critical defects identified in the AM grade was found to be process-induced, emphasizing the need to optimize process parameters to reduce both the number and size of defects and also to ensure component reliability and high performance in various industrial applications. 

In the very high cycle fatigue regime, fatigue crack initiation in high-strength steels is usually correlated to a subsurface inclusion with a fine granular area (FGA). Localized stress-strain concentration at the subsurface inclusion is a critical factor. Fatigue crack initiation with an FGA in the bulk matrix without any defect has rarely been reported. In this paper, a fundamental study on the formation of FGAs in the bulk matrix of an austenitic stainless steel has been carried out using a progressive stepwise load-increasing test with a cycle step of about 108 cycles. FGA formation in the subsurface bulk matrix has been observed. The micro structural damage in the fatigue-tested specimens has been studied using the electron channeling contrast imaging electron microscopy technique. Strain localization and grain fragmentation are the main processes for the formation of FGAs. Local plasticity exhaustion leads to crack initiation due to local stress concentrations. This method can also be used to predict the fatigue damage process, especially the damage rate in individual specimens.

A fine granular area, FGA, is a typical phenomenon observed at the very high cycle fatigue fracture crack origin with a subsurface defect in the material. The FGA has been widely investigated, and different mechanisms have been proposed. In this paper, the formation of FGA in a non-defect matrix of one austenitic steel during very high cycle fatigue was studied using a progressive stepwise load-increasing method and electron scanning microscopy/electron channeling contrast imaging (ECCI) technique. A nano rough surface area or FGA at the fatigue crack origin has been observed in the subsurface matrix without any defect. It is a new phenomenon. A mechanism was proposed using the dislocation plasticity theory. The formation of FGA in a non-defect matrix is a localized plasticity exhausting process by strain localization, grain fragmentation, stress concentration and nano crack initiation and propagation along low-angle grain boundaries. 

This paper investigated the microstructure and fatigue behavior of PM-HIPed Inconel 625. The microstructure was composed of γ phase and (Mo, Nb) carbonitrides located mostly on prior particle boundaries. Despite the presence of these carbonitrides, the samples showed good tensile properties with high elongation. Two different surface conditions, pickled and machined, were used for high cycle fatigue testing under a four-point bending test. The results indicated that pickled samples had 6% lower fatigue strength (at 106 cycles) with three times higher standard deviation compared to the machined ones. Fatigue failure mechanisms were found to be dependent on surface conditions and showed different failure modes due to non-metallic oxide inclusions and surface defects in samples with machined and pickled surfaces, respectively. The effect of type, size, and location of defects, multiplicity of crack initiations, as well as surface roughness were analyzed and discussed.

Press hardening provides ultra-high strength steel components, typically boron steels, of complex geometries. In the process, the steel sheet is heated in a furnace to the austenitization temperature, transferred to the press, then simultaneously formed at high temperature and cooled in the die. Life limiting factors for the press hardening dies are mechanical fatigue, thermal fatigue, and wear. In the present case study two die segments were selected where critical damages were mechanical and thermal fatigue, respectively. The dies were made of a H13 type premium hot-work tool steel with complex heated die technology, die design integrating an advanced cooling system, for pressing automotive frame parts.

The first die failed due to mechanical loading with a crack initiated from the ejector pin area. The die design, the mechanical loads, the elevated temperature, and the tool steel crack resistance are main factors to consider. In the second die cracks initiated from an ejector pin hole, as well, due to thermal cycles causing alternating compressive and tensile stresses at the surface, which led to crack nucleation because of the accumulation of local plastic strain in the surface.

Top hammer drilling is a common method to drill holes in rock formations in mining and civil engineering applications. Failure of drilling machine components has a significant impact on the cost and period of the operation. Internal components of percussive hammers experience extreme loading conditions during their service life. The focus of the present case study is to characterize failure mechanisms of two cylindrical impact pistons subjected to impact loading. The investi-gated components were manufactured from two different steel grades, a surface hardened low alloyed high strength steel and a through hardened cold work tool steel.Failure of both pistons started with degradation of the impact surfaces in term of cavitation erosion and localized surface fatigue phenomena. Subsequently, chipping and removal of material from impact surfaces resulted in formation of semi-spherical holes and craters on both surfaces.Radial and hoop cracks started to develop from cavities on the impact surface. The radial cracks then propagated parallel to the impacting surface in the longitudinal direction of the piston. Once the cracks formed at the impact surface, the damage was controlled by impact fa-tigue. Fatigue beach marks were identified on the fracture surface of failed component.

High-nitrogen-chromium alloyed powder metallurgy (PM) tool steels offer many attractive features including high strength and corrosion resistance. The PM route offers various advantages such as advanced alloy composition, high homogeneity, and well-defined size distribution of hard phase particles. This study presents microstructure and mechanical properties of a PM Cr-Mo-V-N alloy. The conventional manufacturing route for this alloy is hot isostatic pressing (HIP) followed by hot working. To investigate the possibility of near-net-shape manufacturing, a comprehensive comparison of the performance was made between steels produced by as-HIPed and HIPed followed by hot working. Both steel types were heat treated in the same way to obtain martensitic matrix with limited retained austenite. In the present investigation, microstructure and phase analyses were performed by X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy. Mechanical tests were carried out by hardness measurements and tensile fatigue tests in the very high cycle fatigue regime using ultrasonic fatigue testing. 

Austempered ductile irons (ADIs) are used in applications commonly exposed to severe contact conditions, and as a consequence wear damage frequently followed by failure of components. Hence, wear resistance of the material governs the final life time of a component. In the present work, the sliding wear resistance of two ausferritic spheroidal graphite ductile irons ADI1 and ADI2 used commonly in mining and construction equipment was investigated. ADI1 and ADI2 were heat treated to a similar strength, the volume fraction of the carbon-rich austenite in ADI1 and ADI2 was around 30% and 16%, respectively, and they both contained 10 – 13% nodular graphite. The wear tests were performed using a slider-on-flat-surface (SOFS) tribometer. Case-hardened steel plates made of a high strength steel, 22NiCrMo12–F, were used as the counterface. The wear tests were conducted under lubricated sliding contact at normal loads of 50, 100, 200 and 300 N, and at each load level sliding at 100, 200 and 300 m. The friction force between contacting surfaces was continuously monitored during sliding. The lubrication used in the present investigation was a mineral-oil-based paste commonly used in applications where high frictional heating is generated. Wear mechanisms of the tested specimens were investigated by means of optical and scanning electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction, and the wear damage was quantified using a 3D-profile optical interferometer. The main wear mechanisms, severe plastic deformation and surface delamination, were discussed concerning test conditions and material properties. The ADI1 grade with the higher volume of carbon-rich austenite displayed better resistance to sliding wear at high normal loads. The higher normal loads promoted larger deformation at and beneath the contact surface and initiated austenite transformation into hard martensite. Thus, it was concluded that the increase of wear resistance in ADI1 was due to the formation of marteniste. On the other hand, the ADI2 grade with higher silicon content showed lower wear resistance at high normal loads. This was associated with cracking of the proeutectoid ferrite presented in ADI2.

In the present study, Uddeholm Vancron SuperClean cold work tool steel was investigated concerning wear resistance and fatigue strength, using laboratory and semi-industrial tests. The Uddeholm Vancron SuperClean was designed with the help of ThermoCalc calculations to contain a high amount of a carbonitride phase, which was suggested to improve tribological performance of this tool steel. In order to investigate the tested steel, galling tests with a slider-on flat-surface tribotester and semi-industrial punching tests were performed on an advanced high-strength steel, CP1180HD. Uddeholm Vanadis 8 SuperClean containing only a carbide phase and Uddeholm Vancron 40 containing a mixture of carbides and carbonitrides were also tested to compare the performance of the tool steels. The microstructure and wear mechanisms were characterized with scanning electron microscopy. It was found that the carbonitrides presented in Uddeholm Vancron SuperClean improved its resistance to material transfer and galling. Semi-industrial punching tests also confirmed that Uddeholm Vancron SuperClean cold work tool steel also possesses enhanced resistance to chipping and fatigue crack nucleation, which confirms the beneficial role of the carbonitride phase in wear resistance of cold work tool steel.