Low cycle fatigue behavior of inconel 718 at 298 K and 823 K

Abstract

The cyclic stress-strain response and the low cycle fatigue life of conventionally heat treated Inconel 718 were studied. Fully reversed strain-controlled tests were performed at room temperature and at 823 K. Optical and electron microscopy were used to study the development of deformation and cracking during cycling. A power-law relationship between life-time and plastic strain amplitude was obtained. A substantial decrease in fatigue life occurred as the temperature was increased from 298 to 823 K and as the cycling frequency was lowered from 3 cyclesJmin to 0.3 cyclesJmin at 823 K. At 298 K, for all the strain amplitudes investigated, an initial rapid hardening was followed by softening, while at 823 K only softening occurred. Electron microscopy showed that the precipitates were sheared in the course of cyclic straining and that plastic deformation proceeded by the propagation of planar bands. These bands were identified as twins. Twinning was found to be more abundant at elevated temperatures than at room temperature, especially at lower frequencies. Cracking was generally initiated along the interfaces between these twin bands and the matrix but, at elevated temperatures and low strain rates, intercrystalline cracking took place, as well. The influence of particles shearing and twinning on the cyclic stress-strain response of the material are discussed. The importance of planar deformation and twinning on intergranular cracking is emphasized.