Very high cycle fatigue behavior of a low strength welded joint at moderate temperature

Very high cycle fatigue (VHCF) behavior of a low strength weldment was investigated by fully reversed axial tests in air at room temperature and 370 degrees C. The role of non-metallic inclusions in the VHCF was addressed in terms of experimental results and finite element simulations. The higher potential for interior crack nucleation at higher temperature was ascribed to matrix softening, surface oxidation and surface compressive residual stress. A new model for interpretation of the role of inclusion in the transition of crack initiation modes was developed. (C) 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.