Effect of atmospheric-controlled induction-heating fine particle peening on microstructure and fatigue properties of low-alloy steel

Atmospheric-controlled induction-heating fine particle peening (AIH-FPP) was performed for low-alloy steel, and the effects of the peening temperature, the microstructure of steel, and thermal history during AIH-FPP on the resultant microstructure of treated steel were investigated. Regardless of the prior microstructure and thermal history, the grains near the surfaces were refined by AIH-FPP at peening temperatures from 923 K to 1023 K owing to dynamic recrystallization. To examine the effect of AIH-FPP on the fatigue properties of steel, plane-bending fatigue tests were performed. Compared with the steel mirror-polished, treated with FPP at RT, or only induction-heated, the fatigue properties of steel treated with AIH-FPP were improved. This is because of the formation of a thick and uniform grain-refined layer, the generation of compressive residual stress, and hardening of the surface by AIH-FPP. Moreover, owing to the grain refinement progress, the fatigue properties of steel improved with increasing peening temperature.

Automated summary

This research investigated the effects of atmospheric-controlled induction-heating fine particle peening (AIH-FPP) on the microstructure and fatigue properties of low-alloy steel. The results showed that regardless of the initial microstructure and thermal history, AIH-FPP could refine the grains near the surface through dynamic recrystallization. The treated steel exhibited improved fatigue properties due to the formation of a thick and uniform grain-refined layer, generation of compressive residual stress, and surface hardening. Furthermore, the fatigue properties of the steel were further enhanced with increasing peening temperature.