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Eingeladener Vortrag
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Due to rapid, localized heating and cooling, distortions accumulate in additive manufactured laser metal deposition (LMD) components, leading to a loss of dimensional accuracy or even cracking. Numerical welding simulations allow the prediction of these deviations and their optimization before conducting experiments. To assess the viability of the simulation tool for the use in a predictive manner, comprehensive systems as well as to choose the optimal product matches, product analysis methods are needed. Indeed, most of the known methods aim to analyze a product or one product family on the physical level. Different product families, however, may differ largely in terms of the number and nature of components. This fact impedes an efficient comparison and choice of appropriate product family combinations for the production system. A new methodology is proposed to analyze existing products in view of their functional and physical architecture. The aim is to Cluster these products in new assembly oriented product families for the optimization.
The application of implants e.g. for osteosynthesis or substitution of worn out joints is common practice since decades. Successes in surgery and orthopedics are highly dependent on the use of artificial parts for implanting into the human body. Over the years the number of surgical procedures and the number of different implants were growing rapidly. Implants, however, are exposed to complex mechanical, corrosive and tribological loads along with restriction in geometric dimension. While being essentially successful, the sheer number of cases leads to a rising number of implant failures. Such failures are painful for the affected patients and are very costly.
The failure cases presented in this paper occurred from 1981 to 2016. The predominant failure mechanism of all kinds of implants is fatigue fracture. Fatigue cracks are initiated due to a whole bunch of reasons: Material defects and fabrication defects are rare events. The main factors are cyclic overload due to improper fitting with delayed bone healing, corrosion and unauthorized modification of the implant during surgery
Foreword
(2018)
The subject of this Special Issue is the fracture mechanics-based determination of the fatigue strength of weldments. Except for one, all papers were written in closer or wider relation to a methodology developed within the framework of the German Project cluster IBESS. Some of them provide background or supplementary information needed in that context but which is also relevant in a wider frame of research activities. The acronym IBESS stands for the topic of this Special Issue (in German: „Integrale Methode zu Bruchmechanischen Ermittlung der Schwingfestigkeit von Schweißverbindungen). Eight partners were involved. The cluster was cooperatively founded by the German Research Foundation (Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft) and by the German AiF Network (Arbeitsgemeinschaft industrieller Forschungsvereinigungen) for industrial research.
The paper deals with the integration of a light emitting diode (LED) into an additive manufactured metal component. Selective laser melting (SLM) and laser metal deposition (LMD) are used. The material used is the chrome-nickel steel 316L. The basic component is manufactured by means of SLM and consists of a solid body and an area with grid structure. The solid body includes a duct in the shape of a groove with a recess for the positioning of the power cable. The LED is embedded in the grid structure via an inlet from the solid body. In further processing, the groove is filled with LMD. Two strategies with different parameter combinations were investigated. It shows that a high energy input near the power cable leads to its destruction. By using multiple parameter combinations during the manufacturing process, this destruction can be prevented. There was a comparison of both strategies with regard to the necessary number of tracks and duration of welding time.
The paper deals with the integration of a light emitting diode (LED) into an additive manufactured metal component. Selective laser melting (SLM) and laser metal deposition (LMD) are used. The material used is the chrome-nickel steel 316L. The basic component is manufactured by means of SLM and consists of a solid body and an area with grid structure. The solid body includes a duct in the shape of a groove with a recess for the positioning of the power cable. The LED is embedded in the grid structure via an inlet from the solid body. In further processing, the groove is filled with LMD. Two strategies with different parameter combinations were investigated. It shows that a high energy input near the power cable leads to its destruction. By using multiple parameter combinations during the manufacturing process, this destruction can be prevented. There was a comparison of both strategies with regard to the necessary number of tracks and duration of welding time.
Beanspruchungsgerechtes ultraschallunterstütztes Fräsen Generativ gefertigter Turbinenbauteile
(2018)
Die Beschaffung und Verarbeitung von Werkstoffen für hochbelastete Komponenten sind meist kostenintensiv. Bestrebungen zur Kosten- und Ressourceneffizienz führen zu komplexeren Strukturen bzw. Konturen, sodass generative Fertigungsschritte zur Bauteilreparatur und -fertigung deutliche ökonomische Vorteile bieten. Hierfür sind generative und abtragende Fertigungsschritte komplementär und gezielt aufeinander abzustimmen, um beanspruchungsgerechte Funktionsflächen herzustellen.
Hochfeste und -warmfeste Legierungen nehmen in vielen Bereichen des Maschinen- und Anlagenbaus eine immer größere Rolle ein, deren Wirtschaftlichkeit und Effizienz durch eine kostensparende und präzise fügetechnische und abtragende Fertigung bestimmt wird. Komponenten aus modernen hochfesten Werkstoffen erfordern aufgrund ihres spezifischen Legierungskonzeptes und Gefüges und der oft hohen thermo-mechanischen Belastungen speziell adaptierte Fertigungsabläufe. Der Beitrag stellt einige Themenschwerpunkte vor, bei denen fertigungsbedingte Beanspruchungen und Eigenschaftsdegradationen an hochinnovativen Werkstoffen optimiert und wirtschaftliche Fertigungsbedingungen untersucht werden.
Die Beschaffung und Verarbeitung von Werkstoffen für hochbelastete Komponenten sind meist kostenintensiv. Bestrebungen zur Kosten- und Ressourceneffizienz führen zu komplexeren Strukturen bzw. Konturen, sodass generative Fertigungsschritte zur Bauteilreparatur und -fertigung deutliche ökonomische Vorteile bieten. Hierfür sind generative und abtragende Fertigungsschritte komplementär und gezielt aufeinander abzustimmen, um beanspruchungsgerechte Funktionsflächen herzustellen. Hinsichtlich Inhomogenität und Anisotropie der Gefüge und Eigenschaften sowie fertigungsbedingter Beanspruchungen sind für den wirtschaftlichen Einsatz bei KMU, gerade für drahtbasierte Fertigungsverfahren und Wechselwirkungen nachfolgender Zerspanung dieser schwer spanbaren Werkstoffe noch viele Kenntnisse notwendig. Deshalb sind Untersuchungen zu diesen Einflüssen und Wechselwirkungen unter Nutzung innovativer Ansätze geplant. Mit typischen kostenintensiven Ni- und Co-Cr-Legierungen werden generativ Bauteile, Auftrag- und Reparaturschweißungen hergestellt und Schweißzusätze für das PTA-Verfahren modifiziert, um die Erstarrungsmorphologie und das Eigenschaftsprofil zu optimieren. Die Übertragung auf MSG-Verfahren sichert einen breiten industriellen Einsatz für hohe Auftragraten ab. Die wirtschaftliche spanende Bearbeitbarkeit wird mit Zerspanbarkeitsanalysen für Schlichtfräsen und vergleichend für ultraschallunterstütze Fräsprozesse sichergestellt. Instrumentierte Experimente und Werkstoffanalytik hinsichtlich der Einflüsse auf Schmelzbad, Gefüge und Ausscheidungen sowie auf Randzoneneigenschaften und Eigenspannungen ermöglichen umfassende Erkenntnisse zur kombinierten generativen und abtragenden Fertigung. Durch Bauteilversuche und -prüfungen, Übertragbarkeitsstudien weiterer innovativer Werkstoffe verbunden mit Handlungsempfehlungen und der Zusammenarbeit mit den jeweiligen Normungsgremien profitieren KMU von einer hochwirtschaftlichen Herstellung und Reparatur kostenintensiver Komponenten.
In einer Vielzahl technischer Anwendungen spielt die Aufrechterhaltung eines definierten Reibungs- und Verschleißverhaltens zwischen bewegten Oberflächen für die Sicherheit und Funktionalität eine entscheidende Rolle. Die Oberflächentechnik versucht durch geeignete Verfahren die Randschichten zu ertüchtigen, um Reibung und Verschleiß zu kontrollieren. Eine Verbesserung der Materialeigenschaften kann durch flächige Beschichtungen erreicht werden. Zusätzlich ermöglichen Oberflächenstrukturierungen breite Möglichkeiten zur Beeinflussung des Schmierungszustandes bzw. der Kontaktbedingungen. Neben Negativstrukturen bieten ebenfalls erhabene Mikrostrukturen großes Potenzial zur Beeinflussung des tribologischen Verhaltens. Ihr Einsatz ist aber aufgrund der besonderen Verschleißproblematik erhabener Strukturen momentan limitiert, so dass in der Regel zusätzliche verschleißreduzierende Beschichtungen notwendig werden.
In diesem Beitrag wurde das Verfahren der Laserimplantation angewandt, mit dem erhabene und separierte Oberflächenstrukturen hoher Verschleißfestigkeit in einem Fertigungsschritt erzeugbar sind. Das Verfahren basiert auf einem lokalisierten Dispergieren von Hartstoffpartikeln. Hierfür wurde erstmalig ein gepulster Faserlaser mit hoher Strahlqualität zur Erzeugung punkt- und linienförmiger Mikrostrukturen angewandt. Versuche wurden auf dem Kaltarbeitsstahl X153CrMoV12 unter Anwendung von Titandiborid als Hartstoff durchgeführt. Anhand von Härtemessungen konnte gezeigt werden, dass sowohl punkt- als auch linienförmige Strukturen mit Härten über 1000 HV1 und einer feinkörnigen Mikrostruktur mit feinverteilten Hartstoffpartikeln herstellbar sind. Des Weiteren war es möglich, die Implantgeometrien, welche an Querschliffen und durch Weißlichtinterferometeraufnahmen erfasst wurden, durch die Pulsleistung und Pulsdauer zu steuern.
Additive Manufacturing (AM) offers the opportunity to produce easier geometrically complex parts compared to traditional production technologies. An important AM technology for metals is selective laser melting (SLM) where a part is produced by melting and solidifying powder in layers. This technique is known to cause a pronounced texture in the produced AM products due to the specific heat flow and the associated solidification of the material during SLM deposition. In order to evaluate the influence of the deposition hatch length during SLM of nickel based superalloy Inconel 718 samples on the texture and in order to identify any preferred crystallographic direction, we performed monochromatic neutron radiography scans (using wavelength from 1.6 Å to 4.4 Å, step size 0.05 Å) to image the samples while rotating it through 90°. Samples produced with short hatch length showed fine textured columnar grains oriented along the sample building direction in high-resolution radiographs. Whereas processing the sample using a ten-fold longer hatch length reduced the texture. The neutron radiographic experiments were accompanied by scanning electron microscopy including electron back-scattered diffraction to visualize and verify the microstructure and texture.
Dissimilar metal weld overlays of nickel-base alloys on low-alloy steel components are commonly used in the oil and gas, petrochemical, and power generation industries to provide corrosion and oxidation resistance in a wide range of service Environments and temperatures. Traditionally, dissimilar weld overlays are produced using cold or hot wire gas tungsten arc welding.
This study aims to identify and evaluate potential advantages of low heat input gas metal arc welding processes over the conventional gas tungsten arc welding in the production of such overlays. Parts I and II of this publication series described characteristics of the heat-affected zone and the transition zone region of alloy 625 on grade 22 steel overlays. These results indicate a good resistance against hydrogen-assisted cracking, which is being verified within this third part of the publication series. To determine the hydrogen-assisted cracking susceptibility, welded samples are tested using the delayed hydrogen-assisted cracking test. Fractography is performed using scanning electron microscopy along with energy dispersive spectroscopy. The results confirm the suitability and efficiency of low heat input gas metal arc welding for dissimilar weld overlays. Variation of the postweld heat treatment procedure bears potential for improvement in this respect.
With the recent rise in the demand for additive manufacturing (AM), the need for reliable simulation tools to support experimental efforts grows steadily. Computational welding mechanics approaches can simulate the AM processes but are generally not validated for AM-specific effects originating from multiple heating and cooling cycles. To increase confidence in the outcomes and to use numerical simulation reliably, the result quality Needs to be validated against experiments for in-situ and post-process cases. In this article, a validation is demonstrated
for a structural thermomechanical simulation model on an arbitrarily curved Directed Energy Deposition (DED)part: at first, the validity of the heat input is ensured and subsequently, the model’s predictive quality for in-situ
deformation and the bulging behaviour is investigated. For the in-situ deformations, 3D-Digital Image Correlation measurements are conducted that quantify periodic expansion and shrinkage as they occur. The results show a strong dependency of the local stiffness of the surrounding geometry. The numerical Simulation model is set up in accordance with the experiment and can reproduce the measured 3-dimensional in-situ displacements. Furthermore, the deformations due to removal from the substrate are quantified via 3D-scanning, exhibiting considerable distortions due to stress relaxation. Finally, the prediction of the deformed shape is discussed in regards to bulging simulation: to improve the accuracy of the calculated final shape, a novel Extension of the model relying on the modified stiffness of inactive upper layers is proposed and the experimentally observed bulging could be reproduced in the finite element model.
Laser-Metal-Deposition (LMD) and Plasma-Transferred-Arc (PTA) are well known Technologies which can be used for cladding purposes. The prime objective in combining LMD and PTA as a Hybrid Metal Deposition-Technology (HMD) is to achieve high Deposition rates at low thermal Impact. Possible applications are coatings for wear protection or repair welding for components made of steel. The two energy sources (laser and Plasma arc) build a Joint process Zone and are configurated to constitute a stable process at laser powers between 0.4-1 kW (defocused) and Plasma currents between 75-200 A. Stainless steel 316L serves as filler material. For this HMD process, a Plasma Cu-nozzle is designed and produced by powder bed based Selective Laser Melting. The potential of the HMD Technology is investigated and discussed considering existing process. This paper demonstrates how the interaction of the two energy sources effects the following application-relevant properties: Deposition rate, powder Efficiency and energy Input.
Pores in additive manufactured metal parts occur due to different reasons and affect the part Quality negatively. Few investigations on the origins of porosity are available, especially for Ni-based super alloys. This paper presents a new study to examine the influence of common processing Parameters on the Formation of pores in parts built by laser metal Deposition using Inconel 718 powder. Further, a comparison between the computed tomography (CT) and the Archimedes method was made. The Investigation Shows that CT is able to identify different kinds of pores and to give further Information about their distribution. The identification of some pores as well as their shape can be dependent on the Parameter Setting of the Analysis tool. Due to limited measurement Resolution, CT is not able to identify correctly pores with Diameters smaller than 0.1 mm, which leads to a false decrease on Overall porosity. The applied Archimedes method is unable to differentiate between gas porosity and other Kinds of holes like internal cracks or lack of Fusion, but it delivered a proper value for Overall porosity. The method was able to provide suitable data for the statistical Evaluation with design of Experiments, which revealed significant Parameters ont he Formation of pores in LMD.
In den letzten Jahren hat vor allem die Nachfrage nach additiven Fertigungstechnologien und Reparaturverfahren für Hochfeste Werkstoffe einen starken Aufschwung erlebt. Ein Verfahren, welches sich neben der Herstellung von Beschichtungen besonders für diese Anwendungen eignet, ist das Laser-Pulver-Auftragschweißen. Es wird besonders für Reparaturen bzw. zur Herstellung von teuren Bauteilen, wie Werkzeuge oder Turbinenteilen, eingesetzt. Da diese Teile oft großen mechanischen sowie thermischen Belastungen ausgesetzt sind, ist es besonders wichtig, dass die erzeugte Struktur eine hohe Qualität aufweist. In dieser Arbeit wird die statistische Versuchsplanung genutzt, um Modelle für die Oberflächenbeschaffenheiten von Inconel 718 zu generieren. Als Grundlage dient hierbei ein zentral zusammengesetzter Versuchsplan mit großem Parameterfenster. So wird die Leistung zwischen 550 Watt und 1950 Watt, der Vorschub von 530 mm/min bis 920 mm/min, der Pulvermassenstrom von 3 g/min bis 12 g/min sowie der Spotdurchmesser von 1 mm bis 2 mm variiert. Auf diese Weise wird die Spurgeometrie beeinflusst. Darüber hinaus wird das Überlappungsverhältnis zwischen 20% bis 50% verändert. Die Auswertung der Oberflächenbeschaffenheit erfolgt mit dem auf der Fokusvariation basierendem Oberflächenmessgerät Alicona Infinite-Focus. Dieses Verfahren der 3D Mikrokoordinatenmesstechnik gewährleistet eine zuverlässige Auswertung der Spurgeometrie, der Welligkeit sowie die Messung der mittleren arithmetischen Höhe Sa zur Bestimmung der Oberflächenrauheit. Anschließend werden die generierten Modelle verifiziert. Ziel dabei ist, kostenintensive Vorversuche in Zukunft einzusparen. Darüber hinaus wird das Prozessverständnis erweitert und signifikante Einflussfaktoren identifiziert.
Unter der zyklischen R-Kurve versteht man die Abhängigkeit des Schwellenwertes gegen Ermüdungsrissausbreitung von der Risstiefe im Kurzrissbereich. Bei Spannungsverhältnissen R = omin/omax < ca. 0,7 erhöht sich der Schwellenwert AKltl ausgehend von einer intrinsischen, werkstoffspezifischen Untergrenze mit zunehmender Risstiefe, bis er einen risslängenunabhängigen Wert erreicht.
Ursache ist der graduelle Aufbau unterschiedlicher Rissschließeffekte. Die besondere Bedeutung des Kurzrisswachtums allgemein und der zyklischen R-Kurve speziell besteht darin, dass sie ein physikalisches Bindeglied zwischen der konventionellen Schwingfestigkeit (Wöhlerkurve) und der Bruchmechanik repräsentieren. Der Beitrag befasst sich sowohl mit der experimentellen Ermittlung der zyklischen R-Kurve als auch mit ihrer Anwendung auf Rissarrest im Zusammenhang mit Schwingfestigkeitsbetrachtungen.
Die experimentelle Ermittlung der zyklischen R-Kurve erfordert einen experimentellen Aufwand, der deutlich über den der Langrissbruchmechanik hinausgeht. Insbesondere im Anfangsbereich ist eine sehr genaue Messung der Risstiefe erforderlich, was eine Verbesserung etwa der konventionellen Potentialmethode erforderlich macht. Von wesentlicher Bedeutung ist auch, dass der Ausgangsriss vor
Beginn des eigentlichen Versuchs keine Rissschließeffekte gesehen haben darf. Realisiert wird das durch eine vorgeschaltete Phase von sog. „Compression Pre-cracking“, d.h. durch Anschwingen komplett im Druckbereich.
Die Verwendung von Low Transformation Temperature (LTT) Schweißzusatzwerkstoffen ist eine innovative Möglichkeit, um beim Schweißen von hochfesten Stählen die schweißbedingten Zugeigenspannungen zu reduzieren. Durch die Zugabe von Legierungselementen, wie beispielsweise Nickel oder Mangan haben diese Werkstoffe eine, im Vergleich zu herkömm-lichen Schweißzusatzwerkstoffen deutlich herabgesetzte Martensitstarttemperatur (MS). Dadurch ist es möglich, die schweißbedingten Zugeigenspannungen mit LTT-Schweißzusatz-werkstoffen gezielt zu reduzieren oder sogar Druckeigenspannungen zu erzeugen.
Im Verlauf vorangegangener Arbeiten hat sich herausgestellt, dass einige der untersuchten LTT-Legierungen aufgrund ihres Erstarrungs- bzw. Seigerungsverhaltens eine gegenüber vielen konventionellen Schweiß-zusatzwerkstoffen erhöhte Heißrisssensibilität aufweisen.
Die aktuellen Arbeiten zielen darauf, die Heißrissneigung neuartiger LTT-Schweißzusatzwerkstoffe weiter zu ergründen.
Die chemische Zusammensetzung der Schweißnaht und WEZ haben einen wesentlichen Einfluss auf die Schweißnahtqualität. Aktuelle Prüfmethoden für Schweißnähte können post factum messen und die Schweißfehler nicht verhindern.
Das Abbrandverhalten kann über die Erstarrung wesentlichen Einfluss haben und zu Versprödung oder Rissbildung führen. Die in situ Überwachung der chemischen Zusammensetzung der Schweißnähte gewährleistet eine kontrollierte Verfestigung und Beständigkeit gegen Schweißfehler. Ein in situ Schweißnahtprüfverfahren mittels LIBS wurde entwickelt.
IBESS Methology for the fracture mechanics-based determination of the fatigue strength of weldments
(2018)
The presentation provides a brief overview on the results of a German cluster project on the use of fracture mechanics to the determination of the fatigue strength of weldments with fatigue cracks originating at the weld toes. The approach includes (a) a concept for short crack propagation for which the common K concept is not applicable and the crack closure effects are still being gradually build-up, (b) a method for determining fatigue life relevant initial crack sizes as they are needed in any fracture mechanics analysis and (c) multiple cracking and crack coalescence at load levels higher than the endurance limit. The analyses are stochastically performed. Both, the endurance limit as defined for 107 loading cycles and the finite life branch of the S-N curve are determined.
Additive Manufacturing (AM) through the Selective Laser Melting (SLM) route offers ample scope for producing geometrically complex parts compared to the conventional subtractive manufacturing strategies. Nevertheless, the residual stresses which develop during the fabrication can limit application of the SLM components by reducing the load bearing capacity and by inducing unwanted distortion, depending on the boundary conditions specified during manufacturing.
The present study aims at characterizing the residual stress states in the SLM parts using different diffraction methods. The material used is the nickel based superalloy Inconel 718. Microstructure as well as the surface and bulk residual stresses were characterized. For the residual stress analysis, X-ray, synchrotron and neutron diffraction methods were used. The measurements were performed at BAM, at the EDDI beamline of -BESSY II synchrotron- and the E3 line -BER II neutron reactor- of the Helmholtz-Zentrum für Materialien und Energie (HZB) Berlin.
The results reveal significant differences in the residual stress states for the different characterization techniques employed, which indicates a dependence of the residual state on the penetration depth in the sample. For the surface residual stresses, longitudinal and transverse stress components from both X-ray and synchrotron agree well and the obtained values were around the yield strength of the material. Furthermore, synchrotron mapping disclosed gradients along the width and length of the sample for the longitudinal and transverse stress components. On the other hand, lower residual stresses were found in the bulk of the material measured using neutron diffraction. The longitudinal component was tensile and decreased towards the boundary of the sample. In contrast, the normal component was nearly constant and compressive in nature. The transversal component was almost negligible. The results indicate that a stress re-distribution takes place during the deposition of the consecutive layers. Further investigations are planned to study the phenomenon in detail.
Die Präsentation diskutiert Besonderheiten von Schweißnähten bei der Bestimmung der Zähigkeit bei monotoner Belastung, bei der Ermittlung des zyklischen Rissfortschritts und bei der Ermittlung der Gesamtlebensdauer/Schwingfestigkeit mittels moderner bruchmechanischer Methoden. Besonderes Augenmerk liegt auf der Inhomogenität des Werkstoffs in den einzelnen Nahtbereichen, die sich statistisch (stochastische Verteilung von Gefügeschwachstellen) und systematisch (Effekte von Festigkeits-Mismatch) auswirkt. Als weiterer Faktor kommen Schweißeigenspannungen hinzu, bei denen für die bruchmechanische Analyse eine Fallunterscheidung in primäre und sekundäre Eigenspannungen vorgenommen werden muss. Diskstiert werden die Konsequenzen für die Zähigkeitsermittlung und die Bauteilbewertung.
The Topic of the presentationis a discussion on defects which can cause failure in cyclically loaded metallic components. Although also touching Features such as material defects such as pores or micro-shrinkages, etc. and geometric defects such as surface roughness and secondary notches (which are not considered in the design process) which origin in manufacturing, and others the presentation concentrates on non-metallic inclusions. It is prefaced by an introduction to the life cycle of a fatigue crack from initiation up to fracture. Special emphasis is put on the fact that only cracks which are not arrested during one of their distinct Propagation stages can grow to a critical size.
Ein Defekt ist „eine Imperfektion …, für die in einer quantitativen Analyse gezeigt werden kann, dass sie Versagen verursacht hat, welches ohne die Imperfektion nicht aufgetreten wäre“. Defekte in diesem Sinn können einerseits Werkstoffimperfektionen wie nichtmetallische Einschlüsse, Poren und Porennester, Nichtdurchschweißungen oder Bereiche defekter Mikrostruktur, andererseits unbeabsichtige geometrische Imperfektionen wie Kratzer, Eindrücke, Korrosionsgrübchen, Einbrandkerben, zu große Oberflächenrauheit u.a. sein. Sie können in der Fertigung, im Betrieb oder auch bei der Wartung entstehen. Nicht jede Imperfektion ist ein Defekt im oben genannten Sinn. Entscheidend ist zumeist nicht, dass an ihr ein oder mehrere Risse initiiert werden, sondern dass wenigstens ein Riss wachstumsfähig bleibt und so innerhalb der projektierten Lebensdauer zum Bruch oder anderweitigem Versagen führt. Aufgrund des begrenzten Umfangs bleibt die vorliegen-de Übersicht beschränkt.
Due to its low mass and high diffusivity in presence of compositional, thermal and mechanical gradients, hydrogen within a metallic microstructure can result in severe loss in ductility even at low concentrations and might lead eventually to a catastrophic and unpredictable failure of structural components during service. In this context, hydrogen mapping at the microscale is still considered among the most important challenges on the pathway towards a better understanding of the hydrogen transport and assisted cracking phenomena in metals, specifically in structural components, e.g. steels.
Among the very few available techniques to localize hydrogen at the microscale, Time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectrometry (ToF-SIMS) was proven to be a reliable tool. Based on the assumption that deuterium influence the microstructure similarly to hydrogen, in the following contribution ToF-SIMS was applied as the main technique to detect and locally map the deuterium distribution in several alloys: lean 2101 and standard 2205 duplex stainless steel (DSS), AISI 304L austenitic stainless steel and titanium 6Al-4V alloy. These alloys were selected as case studies in this work due to the wide use of them in many applications and environments which frequently provide critical conditions for hydrogen absorption and assisted degradation.
The innovative design of in-situ and ex-situ experiments enabled us to elucidate the permeation, transport and trapping of deuterium in the microstructure in sub-micron resolution for the first time. In addition to the novel experimental setups, further progress was gained by applying computational multivariate data analysis (MVA) on the raw data and data fusion with high resolution structural characterization methods (scanning electron microscopy and electron back-scattered diffraction – SEM/EBSD). This combination allowed us to correlate the deuterium distribution and the influence on the microstructure.
In the presented research, the high potential and abilities of secondary ion mass spectrometry (ToF-SIMS) to detect and locally map the hydrogen distribution in two types of duplex stainless steels are shown. The research validates certain proposed mechanisms by combining ToF-SIMS with high-resolution scanning electron microscopy and electron-backscattered diffraction. The combination of data from several techniques on the same region was conducted in this field for the first time by applying data treatment of the ToF-SIMS raw data and data fusion approach. This powerful combination of methods allows reviewing of the occurring processes related to hydrogen assisted cracking. The step beyond the state of the art in this field was gained here by developing permeation and mechanical loading experiments within the ToF-SIMS during chemometric imaging of the hydrogen distribution in the microstructure. The research presents the necessary correlation between the hydrogen distribution and the resulted structural changes, the diffusion behavior in a duplex microstructure and stress induced diffusion of hydrogen by applying external load at the microscale.
This invited plenary lecture is aimed at giving a General overview about the assessment of the fatigue strength of metallic components under constant Amplitude loading based on fracture mechanics. A particular Focus is put on the Evaluation of the fatigue crack driving force and material resistance to fatigue crack Propagation in the Regime of physically/mechanically short cracks. The potential of the methodolody is demonstrated on case studies dealing with the fatigue life prediction of welded joints.
The cyclic J-integral (∆J-integral) is a crack tip parameter of elastic-plastic fracture mechanics which can be used as governing parameter for the description of fatigue crack growth (FCG) in metallic structures. In this contribution, it is applied for modelling FCG in weldments. The ∆J-integral is determined by means of analytical approximation formulas as well as numerical methods. An analytical solution, which takes into account effects of the local ligament plasticity, was derived. This solution is based on well established methods such as R6, BS7910 and SINTAP which were modified for cyclic loading. It incorporates methods for the description of short crack closure behaviour as well as the well known analytical (long) crack closure function of Newman. A specific code was written to evaluate the ∆J-integral numerically in the course of finite element based crack growth simulations. The code was first validated for an infinite plate with centre crack by applying elastic and elastic-plastic material behaviour. Next, the ∆J-integral was calculated for cracks in various butt and cruciform welded joints. The results were compared with the results of the derived analytical approximation formula. A good accordance was achieved between the results.
The paper provides an application of the IBESS approach to the investigation of the influence of various parameters of the global and local weld geometry as well as material defects on the fatigue strength of weldments. For this purpose, the global weld parameters, such as the weld toe radius, the flank angle, the excess weld metal, local secondary notches (in the present study as a measure of surface imperfections) and inclusions sizes have been determined as statistical distributions for different joint types and geometries and two steels of different strengths. The results are in line with literature data and reveal the potential of the theoretical approach to predict the correct trends. The combination with an advanced weld quality system has been demonstrated to be possible.
Welding residual stresses have an impact on the performance of welded structures, on their fracture resistance, their resistance against fatigue crack propagation and, most important, their fatigue strength and fatigue lifetime. The present paper provides an overview on the issue mainly from the point of view of the application of fracture mechanics to the determination of the fatigue strength as the topic of this Special issue. Besides own experimental and theoretical data a comprehensive discussion is provided in that context which includes the definition and interaction of short- and long-range (or reaction) residual stresses, the effect of cyclic mechanical loading and its treatment in fracture and fatigue analyses.
Common fracture mechanics based fatigue considerations are usually limited to the residual lifetime determination of so-called long cracks. The extension of this concept to the total lifetime, as in the S-N curve approach, requires an adequate description of short crack propagation which cannot be based on the Delta K concept, and it must consider the crack closure phenomenon as well as its gradual build-up at the short crack stage. Further, it has to provide a meaningful definition of initial crack dimensions and a solution for the multiple crack problem at stress levels higher than the fatigue limit as it is specific for some configurations such as weldments. This paper aims at a discussion of all these points and offers possible solutions which are illustrated by examples taken from the German IBESS project on fracture mechanics based determination of the fatigue strength of weldments, the results of which will be discussed in more detail in this Special issue.
The so-called cyclic R curve, i.e. the crack size dependence of the fatigue crack propagation threshold in the physically short crack regime, is a key parameter for bringing together fatigue strength and fracture mechanics concepts. Its adequate determination is of paramount importance. However, notwithstanding this relevance, no test guideline is available by now and only very few institutions have spent research effort on cyclic R curves so far. The aim of the present paper is to give an overview on the state-of-the-art. Besides an introduction into the basic principles, the discussion will concentrate on the experimental determination on the one hand and questions of its application on the other hand.
Any fracture mechanics based determination of the fatigue strength of weldments requires different input information such as the local weld geometry and material data of the areas the crack is passing through during its propagation. The latter is so far not a trivial task as the fatigue crack is usually initiated at the weld toe at the transition from the weld metal to the heat affected zone and it subsequently propagates through the different microstructures of the latter to eventually grow into the base material and to cause final fracture. This paper describes how the material input information has gained particularly for heat affected zone material by thermo-mechanically simulated material specimens for two steels of quite different static strength. The data comprise the cyclic stress-strain curve, the crack closure effect-corrected crack growth characteristics, long crack fatigue crack propagation thresholds, the dependency of the parameter on the crack length and monotonic fracture resistance. The substantial experimental effort was necessary for the validation exercises of the IBESS approach, however, within the scope of practical application more easily applicable estimating methods are required. For that purpose the paper provides a number of appropriate proposals in line with its check against the reference data from the elaborate analyses.
The work presents the procedure developed within the German research project IBESS, which allows for the fracture mechanics-based prediction of the fatigue strength of welded joints under constant amplitude loading. Based on the experimental observations of the crucial failure mechanisms, the approach focuses on the short crack propagation, where elastic-plastic fracture mechanics and the build-up of closure effects must be considered as well as the variability of the local geometry at the weld toe and the modelling of multiple crack interaction. Analytical solutions are provided for the approximation of the through-thickness stress profiles at the weld toe and for the determination of the crack driving force in the form of a plasticity-corrected stress intensity factor range ∆K_p. Proposals for the determination of the initial crack size and the crack closure factor are also included.
The approach is validated against a large number of experimental data, which comprises fatigue tests on individual cracks monitored by heat tinting and beach-marking techniques, as well as stress life curves. Three kinds of welded joints, two steels of significant different strengths and three stress ratios are considered. The results show that the procedure provides good estimations of the statistical distribution of the fatigue strength of welded joints both for the finite and infinite life regime. Furthermore, the predictions are compared with available benchmark data for structural steels.
The laser hybrid welding process offers many advantages regarding deep penetration, increased welding velocity and with the help of the supplied filler wire an improved bridgeability to gap and misalignment tolerances. High power laser systems with a power of approx. 30 kW are already available on the market. Nevertheless, multi-layer technology with an arc process is still used for welding of plates from a thickness from 20 mm. A potential cause is the process instability with increasing laser power. It is inevitable that gravity drop-out due to the high hydrostatic pressure at increasing wall thickness especially at welding in flat position and with a low welding speed. The surface tension decreases with increasing root width resulting from low welding velocities. To prevent such inadmissible defects of the seam a use of weld pool support is required. Usual weld pool support systems such as ceramic or powder supports require a mechanical detachment which is time-consuming. The electromagnetic weld pool support system described in this work shows an alternative weld pool support which works contactless. It is based on generating Lorentz forces in the weld pool due to oscillating magnetic field and induced eddy currents. This innovative technology offers single pass welds up to 28 mm in flat position and reduced welding velocity with a laser power of just 19 kW. It also leads to improved mechanical-technological properties of the seams because of the slow cooling rate. With usage of an electromagnetic weld pool support the limitation of the hybrid laser arc welding process in the thick sheet metal will be extend.
The hybrid laser arc welding (HLAW) process provides many advantages such as improved gap bridgeability, deep penetration and misalignment of edges, that is why the process is used increasingly in industrial applications e.g. shipbuilding, power plant industry and line-pipe manufacturing. The obvious encountered problem for single pass welding in flat position is the gravity drop-out at low welding velocities. With the usage of an electromagnetic weld pool support system, which is based on generating Lorentz forces within the weld pool, wide seams followed by reduced welding velocities could be achieved in this study leading to the realization of a gap bridgeability up to 1 mm, misalignment of edges up to 2 mm and a single pass weld up to 28 mm thickness with a 20-kW fibre laser. These developments expand the boundaries of the HLAW process for different industrial applications. As a result, less accurate preparation of the edges would be sufficient, which saves time for manufacturing.
Hybrid laser-arc welding of thick-walled ferromagnetic steels with electromagnetic weld pool support
(2018)
The hybrid laser-arc welding (HLAW) process provides many advantages over laser welding and arc welding alone, such as high welding speed, gap bridgeability, and deep penetration. The developments in hybrid laser-arc welding technology using modern high-power lasers allow single-pass welding of thick materials. This technology can be used for the heavy metal industries such as shipbuilding, power plant fabrication, and line-pipe manufacturing. The obvious problem for single-pass welding is the growth of the hydrostatic pressure with increasing thickness of materials leading to drop-out of molten metal. This phenomenon is aggravated at slow welding velocities because of increasing weld seam width followed by a decrease of Laplace pressure compensating the hydrostatic pressure. Therefore, weld pool support is necessary by welding of thick materials with slow welding velocities. The innovative electromagnetic weld pool support system is contactless and has been used successfully for laser beam welding of aluminum alloys and austenitic and ferromagnetic steels. The support system is based on generating Lorentz forces within the weld pool. These are produced by an oscillating magnetic field orientated perpendicular to the welding direction. The electromagnetic weld pool support facilitates a decrease in the welding speed without a sagging and drop-out of the melt thus eliminating the limitations of weldable material thickness.
The interaction of hydrogen with various tungsten-inert-gas-welded austenitic stainless steels’ (AUSS) microstructure is studied by means of desorption/absorption analysis and microstructure observations. One of the limitations of welding is created by the presence of hydrogen in the weld, which can shorten the steel’s service life. The local hydrogen concentration, trapping, and its distribution along the welded samples were studied by thermal desorption spectrometry and were supported by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and electronic microstructural observations. Hydrogen content demonstrated a dependence on the welding zone. It was found that hydrogen distribution, and accepted microstructure during welding, played a significant role in the trapping mechanism of 316L AUSS. XRD analysis revealed residual stresses which were caused due to the presence of hydrogen in c-phase. It was shown that the austenite microconstituents inside 316L can have a crucial effect in preventing hydrogen-assisted cracking phenomenon. The effects of AUSS microstructure on hydrogen absorption and desorption behavior are discussed in detail.
In vielen Industriebranchen werden zunehmend hochfeste Feinkornbaustähle mit Streckgrenzen ≥ 690 MPa eingesetzt. Allerdings werden mit zunehmender Festigkeit deutlich höhere Anforderungen an deren schweißtechnische Verarbeitung gestellt, da gerade die Sensibilität gegenüber einer Degradation der mechanischen Eigenschaften, durch den beim Schweißen aufgenommenen Wasserstoff, mit steigender Festigkeit stark zunimmt. In der vorliegenden Präsentation sind Ergebnisse aus vergleichenden Untersuchungen mit konventionellem Übergangslichtbogen und modifiziertem Sprühlichtbogen mit reduziertem Nahtöffnungswinkel hinsichtlich der Wasserstoffaufnahme beim Schweißen unter Variation von Streckenenergie, Arbeitstemperatur und Nachwärmprozedur dargestellt. Grundsätzlich ist den erarbeiteten Ergebnissen zu entnehmen, dass im Schweißgut von Stumpfstoßverbindungen mit reduziertem Nahtöffnungswinkel erhöhte mittlere Wasserstoffkonzentrationen vorliegen. Geeignete Wärmeführungen führten zu einer signifikanten Reduzierung der Wasserstoffkonzentration beim Einsatz der Nahtkonfiguration mit abgesenktem Nahtöffnungswinkel. Dabei erwies sich eine Nachwärmprozedur aus der Schweißwärme heraus als zielführend. Des weiteren sind Gradienten der Wasserstoffkonzentration in Blechdickenrichtung aufgezeigt.
The present research work encloses results of experimental investigations of the interaction between welding process parameters for laser-beam and hybrid-laser-arc as well as type of the filler metal and the achievable mechanical properties of the weld joints on steel grade X8Ni9+QT640 for cryogenic service containing 9% nickel. The results obtained contribute to the development and conversion in the industrial practice a new laser beam-based welding technology for the automated manufacturing of facilities for the liquefaction, storage and the transport of natural gases (LNG facilities). The results show, that the martensitic microstructure of the laser weld metal including low amount of retained austenite not exceeding 3.5% leads to the relatively low V-notch impact energy. The remarkable heterogeneity in the chemical composition of the weld metal through the weld thickness could be recognized in the case of hybrid-laser-arc welding with ERNiCrMo-3 austenitic filler metal, what also led to insufficient impact toughness of the weld metall. The most promising results could be achieved by using 11%Ni filler wire, which is similar to the base metal and provides a homogeneous microstructure with uniform distribution of Ni through the weld seam. It is remarkable, that a correlation between Charpy impact toughness and wire feeding speed and respectively process heat input exists. The highest toughness values were 134±58 J at -196C. The both laser as well as laser-hybrid welds passed the tensile test. The failure stress of 720±3 MPa with a fracture location in the base material was achieved for all samples tested.
The present research work aims at clarification of the effect of the welding electrode type on the mechanical properties of SMA welded joints of 9%Ni steel plates. Properties of produced SMA welded joints were evaluated using different non-destructive and destructive investigation methods. In comparison with the conventionally used Ni-based welding electrode ENiCrMo-3 (AWS A5.11), an experimentally produced non-conventional ferritic welding electrode with 11%Ni (ENi11-Company specification) has resulted in a better combination of the mechanical properties of SMA welded joints of this steel type for critical cryogenic applications. Besides, a positive economic impact for the experimentally produced non-conventional ferritic welding electrode, due to its lower cost, could be another attractive aspect.
In this study, a three-dimensional CFD-simulation model was developed to simulate the fluid flow in the weld pool. The CFD-model showed a bulging region in the middle of the depth, which is separated from the top surface and bottom surface by two narrowing regions. It can be concluded that the interaction of the movement of the laser source with the Marangoni vortex leads to a teardrop shape at the upper and bottom surface of the workpiece. Additionally, it shows that the bulging in the weld is a result of the backflows on the upper and lower sides due to the thermo-capillary-driven flows. The weld pool shape was used as a heat source in a two-dimensional thermomechanical model, which allows a highly accurate transformation of the weld pool dimensions obtained from the CFD model. This developed technique allows the consideration of physical aspects, which cannot be considered when using traditional heat sources. The mechanical model has shown that the chronological order of the solidification of the weld has a significant influence on the nature and distribution of the stresses in the weld. High tensile stress has been observed in the bulging region, i.e. in the susceptible region for solidification cracking, when compared to the other narrowing regions, which show compressive stress.
In this study, a three-dimensional CFD-simulation model was developed to simulate the fluid flow in the weld pool. The CFD-model showed a bulging region in the middle of the depth, which is separated from the top surface and bottom surface by two narrowing regions. It can be concluded that the interaction of the movement of the laser source with the Marangoni vortex leads to a teardrop shape at the upper and bottom surface of the workpiece. Additionally, it shows that the bulging in the weld is a result of the backflows on the upper and lower sides due to the thermo-capillary-driven flows. The weld pool shape was used as a heat source in a two-dimensional thermomechanical model, which allows a highly accurate transformation of the weld pool dimensions obtained from the CFD model. This developed technique allows the consideration of physical aspects, which cannot be considered when using traditional heat sources. The mechanical model has shown that the chronological order of the solidification of the weld has a significant influence on the nature and distribution of the stresses in the weld. High tensile stress has been observed in the bulging region, i.e. in the susceptible region for solidification cracking, when compared to the other narrowing regions, which show compressive stress.
This paper represents the results for proposed optical flow method based on the Lucas-Kanade (LK) algorithm applied to two different problems. The following observations can be made:
- The estimated strain and displacement for conducted tensile test are generally very close to those measured with conventional DIC-technique.
- The LK technique allows measurement of strain or displacement without special selection of a region of interest.
Using a novel optical measurement technique together with the optical flow algorithm, a twodimensional deformation analysis during welding was conducted. This technique is the first to provide a measurement of the full strain field locally in the immediate vicinity of the solidification front. Additionally, the described procedure of the optical measurement allows the real material-dependent values of critical strain characterizing the transition to hot cracking during laser welding processes to be determined.
Among the very few techniques to localize hydrogen (H) at the microscale in steels, Time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectrometry (ToF-SIMS) was proven to be a reliable tool. The necessity to detect hydrogen stems from its deleterious effects in metals, that are often used as structural components and to obtain better understanding of the underlying metallurgical mechanisms of hydrogen embrittlement (HE) which are still unclear.
Austenitic stainless steels are nowadays commonly used in a wide variety of application, from hydrogen transport and storage facilities to petrochemical and offshore applications where they are exposed to aggressive environments and therefore prone to HE. One of the greater risks in the austenitic class is the embrittlement of the material due to the instability of the γ austenite and its transformation into a brittle α martensitic phase. This transformation takes place due to the local stresses that are induced by the uptake of hydrogen during service. Nonetheless, it was shown that this transformation can occur as an artefact during SIMS analysis itself where Cs-sputtering is necessary not only to remove surface contaminations but mainly to enhance H/D secondary ion yield.
In the following contribution we show the influence of different sputtering conditions on AISI 304L austenitic stainless steel in order to distinguish the artefact from the hydrogen induced transformation. The material was charged electrochemically in a deuterium based electrolyte. Deuterium (D) must be in these experiments as a replacement for hydrogen which cannot be used because adsorbed hydrogen superimposes hydrogen originating from charging the sample in the SIMS images. ToF-SIMS analyses were conducted by ToF SIMS IV (IONTOF GmbH, Münster, Germany). The experiments were carried out on deuterium charged and non-charged samples. The structural characterization was carried out by SEM and EBSD examinations before and after charging, both with a Leo Gemeni 1530VP field-emission scanning electron microscope and a Zeiss Supra 40 instrument (Carl Zeiss Microscopy GmbH, Oberkochen, Germany). The results showed that the use of 1keV Cs+ beam induces stacking faults while higher sputter beam energies results in γ→α transformation.
A simplified model for numerical simulation of laser metal deposition process with beam oscillation
(2018)
A model of laser metal deposition with beam oscillation has been developed. The proposed model consists of two coupled sub-models calculating the heat transfer in the deposited part and the free surface of the molten pool, respectively. The heat transfer simulation of the deposited part solves a three-dimensional quasi-stationary heat conduction problem. The free surface of the molten pool are determined by solving the Laplace-Young equation. The developed model enables the layer-by-layer prediction of the shape of the deposited part and the resulting temperature field. It is shown that for an oscillation amplitude equal to the beam radius the peak value of the heat flux decreases by about 53% and 73% in the case of lateral oscillation and circular oscillation, respectively. Lateral oscillating laser beam results in a higher penetration depth due to the higher thermal efficiency. The amplitude of the laser beam oscillation effects the shape of the deposited wall and the deposition rate. A good correlation between the numerically calculated and experimentally observed results is obtained.
Two-dimensional residual stress mapping of multilayer LTT weld joints using the contour method
(2018)
Low transformation temperature (LTT) weld filler materials offer an attractive alternative to cost intensive postweld treatments as they can mitigate detrimental welding residual stresses during the welding process. Compared to conventional weld filler materials, LTT alloys are characterized by a delayed martensite transformation at low temperatures, which can result in compressive residual stresses in the weld. The high strength of these filler materials makes them potentially applicable to high-strength steels as well as for a large amount of requested repair works in steel structures. The focus of the study is on the confirmation of the LTT idea with regard to the residual stress state for multipass weld lines processed by metal active gas welding. It is demonstrated that the contour method is a well-suited technique for measuring the residual stress in the weld joint as it gives an entire two-dimensional map of the residual stress state in the weld line, heat affected zone (HAZ), and base material. The technique was applied at different LTT alloys with varying chemical compositions. Additionally, the results are compared to residual stress maps that were determined by Neutron diffraction using the Strain Analyzer for Large Scale Engineering Applications, an
instrument referred to as SALSA, at the Institut Laue-Langevin in Grenoble. For all investigated specimens, compressive residual stress distributions were determined in the area of the weld joint and the HAZ. They are balanced by tensile residual stresses in the surrounding base material. However, it is shown that the size of theregion exhibiting compressive residual stresses and the absolute values of the compressive residual stresses depend on the chemical composition of the weld filler material.
The residual stress distribution in IN718 elongated prisms produced by Selective Laser Melting was studied by means of neutron (bulk) and laboratory X-ray (surface) diffraction.
Two deposition hatch lengths were considered. A horizontal plane near the top surface (perpendicular to the building direction) and a vertical plane near the lateral surface (parallel to the building direction) were investigated. Samples both in as-built (AB) condition and removed (RE) from the base plate were characterized.
While surface stress fields seem constant for AB condition, X-ray diffraction shows stress gradients along the hatch direction in the RE condition. The stress profiles correlate with the distortion maps obtained by tactile probe measurements.
Neutron diffraction shows bulk stress gradients for all principal components along the main sample directions. We correlate the observed stress patterns with the hatch length, i.e. with its effect on temperature gradients and heat flow. The bulk stress gradients partially disappear after removal from the baseplate.
Residual stresses are crucial when assessing the performance of welded components. The present work deals with the possibilities of transferring the real-life boundary conditions of welding, which influence the residual stress, into the laboratory. The possibilities of a test system specifically developed for this purpose with a maximum capacity of 2 MN are shown. Due to the structural design, global process, geometry and material-dependent stresses are induced, which can be simulated and quantified within the system. Additionally, X-ray diffraction can be applied to determine the resulting local residual stress distribution precisely with high spatial resolution. Two examples are presented how the conditions to be found during production are simulated in the laboratory. It is shown how welding residual stresses in high-strength steels are affected by the heat control. It was possible to clarify why elevated working temperatures significantly increase the bending stresses in the welded joint and therefore the tensile residual stresses in the heat affected zone (HAZ). The effect of a heat treatment applied under mechanical stress resulting from welding is demonstrated by the example of a creep resistant steel. Reheat cracking is significantly increased in this case compared to small scale laboratory based tests.
Supermartensitic stainless steels (SMSS) are a commonly used material nowadays for building offshore structures, i.e. pipelines in the oil and gas industry. The harsh and corrosive environments in oil and gas applications require the correct combination of alloys to attain the desired properties of steel, including high strength and good corrosion properties, even in severe sour service conditions. Welding is the most commonly used method in joining offshore components, depending on requirements requiring strength or fitting. It has been shown that the heat affected zone (HAZ) is more susceptible to certain types of corrosion, including pitting corrosion, especially during severe sour service where a high pH and lower H2S values in the flow medium can lead to pitting corrosion in the HAZ of welded structures. Subsequent hydrogen uptake in the pits can cause cracks to initiate and propagate, leading to rupture of pipelines or catastrophic failures of structures, even at low mechanical loads. Offshore standards allow a certain amount of corrosion, including pitting, to be present before action is required, however the extent of pitting corrosion is not identified by performing visual inspection alone as the subsurface pit diameter may be vastly greater than the pit diameter at the surface. The critical conditions which lead to crack initiation and propagation from a pit with hydrogen uptake are currently not known. Therefore, pitting corrosion and subsequent crack initiation are a danger to the safety of structures. The interest in this phenomenon has resulted in many experimental studies and numerical simulations.
Several numerical models of pitting corrosion and hydrogen uptake resulting in crack initiation are already in existence, but these two phenomena are regularly modelled individually. Thus, a model enabling simulation of both phenomena simultaneously would be of great benefit. Hence, the goal of this study is to develop a model enabling simulation of pit growth and crack initiation, considering hydrogen uptake in the pit from a corrosive environment.
As a first step, this paper presents an investigation into various parameters, which influence crack initiation at pits. These crack critical parameters include: pit geometry, pit location, mechanical load and hydrogen transport into the microstructure. The results will help to identify critical conditions for crack initiation starting at the pit and developing measures to avoid hydrogen assisted cracking (HAC).