1cr13 martensitic stainless steel is a popular material used due to its corrosion resistance, ductility, and great mechanical properties. Despite its superior corrosion resistance, martensitic stainless steel is prone to fatigue and fracture failure under stress. This paper will explore the effects of fatigue and fracture on 1cr13 martensitic stainless steel and factors that may cause or contribute to fracture or fatigue failures.
When exposed to cyclic loading conditions, 1cr13 stainless steel can be prone to fatigue which is caused by two major sources: static overloading and concentrated locale stresses. The static overloading can be caused if the load is well above the design limit, may lead to material failure due to excessive fatigue cycles. On the other hand, if the fatigue is from concentric localized stresses, then generally the total load on the material should be much lower than the designed limit. The interactions between the concentric localized stresses and fatigue can be further compounded by material surface conditions such as flaws, scratches, and cracks. Depending on the severity, the flaws and cracks can pre-existing in the material due to improper manufacturing and processing, or they can arise from use, such as improper lashing or mishandling.
In the case of fracture, 1cr13 martensitic stainless steel is generally susceptible to brittle, ductile, and cleavage type fractures, each of which is caused by different mechanisms. Brittle fracture is caused by the introduction of defects in the surface of the material, either through material manufacturing, localized external forces, or corrosion. Ductile fracture, on the other hand, is caused by an accumulation of plastic deformation that can lead to an inability to sustain the applied load. Cleavage fracture is caused due to the internal reorientation of grains during the plastic deformation of the material, which can predispose the material to failures or cracks. Depending on the particular application, these different types of fracture can lead to material failure with varying degrees of energy, where brittle fracture is generally the most dangerous due to its sudden nature.
Various factors may contribute to the initiation of fatigue or fracture in 1cr13 martensitic stainless steel. Some of the most important factors include temperature, microstructure, environmental exposure, and stress. A materials temperature may have an effect on the initiation of fatigue or fracture, as a higher temperature may cause the material to become more brittle and therefore more susceptible to fracture. Additionally, the microstructure of the material may have an impact on the initiation of fatigue or fracture, as different morphologies and impurities can predispose a material to certain types of failure. Environmental exposure such as corrosion, weathering, and electrochemical breakdown due to contact with certain chemicals, can induce an onset of failure in certain materials. Finally, the stress being applied to the material, either static or dynamic, can have an effect on the initiation of failure, as excessively large or unusually localized stress conditions can lead to the initiation or accumulation of fatigue or fracture.
In conclusion, the 1cr13 martensitic stainless steel is a popular material for its superior corrosion resistance and excellent mechanical properties. However, it is vulnerable to fatigue and fracture due to static overloading, concentrated local stresses, and various other conditions. The initiation of fatigue or fracture may be caused by numerous factors including temperature, microstructure, environmental exposure, and stress. Proper maintenance and usage of the material should be taken in order to avoid premature fatigue or fracture, as these can often be catastrophic failures.
