Evaluation of Electric Current-Induced Improvement of Fracture Characteristics in SUS316

The application of high-density pulsed electric current (HDPEC) is one of the effective methods for the modification of material properties in metals. To evaluate fracture behavior modified by HDPEC, critical fracture parameters such as fracture strength, fracture toughness, and fracture profile of crack tip are important criteria. This work investigates the finite element analysis (FEA) based evaluation of improved fracture characteristics by the application of HDPEC in a SUS 316 austenite stainless steel. Tensile tests were first conducted to deduce the modified material properties with different conditions of HDPEC. A series of theoretical considerations was employed to estimate the modified fracture toughness. The relationship between critical fracture strength and critical crack length was numerically determined based on the estimated fracture toughness. The results in FEA showed that critical von Mises stress on the singularity at the crack tip increases as the effect of HDPEC increases. The evolution of increased fracture toughness with respect to conditions of HDPEC was specified. Crack opening profiles were simulated to assist the explanation. The evaluation of fracture parameters in this study proposes that the modified material properties by HDPEC play a positive role to resist crack propagation.

Automated summary

This study investigates the evaluation of improved fracture characteristics in stainless steel by HDPEC using finite element analysis. The results suggest that modified material properties by HDPEC positively resist crack propagation.