Characterization of Microstructural Damage and Failure Mechanisms in C45E Structural Steel under Compressive Load

Abstract

In this paper, the microstructural damage evolution of a steel with a ferrite–pearlite microstructure (C45E) was investigated during the process of cold upsetting. The development and the accumulation of microstructural damage were analyzed in different areas of samples that were deformed at different strain levels. The scanning electron microscopy (SEM) results showed that various mechanisms of nucleation of microcavities occurred during the upsetting process. In quantitative terms, microcavities were predominantly generated in pearlite colonies due to the fracture of cementite lamellae. In addition, the mechanism of decohesion had a significant influence on the development of a macroscopic crack, since a high level of microcracks, especially at higher degrees of deformation, was observed at the ferrite/pearlite or ferrite/ferrite interfaces. It was found that the distribution of microcavities along the equatorial plane of the sample was not uniform, as the density of microcavities increased with increasing strain level. The influence of stress state, i.e., stress triaxiality, on the nucleation and distribution of microcracks, was also analyzed.

Effect of Machining Conditions on Temperature and Vickers Microhardness of Chips during Planing

“…This grade is in majority situations delivered in an unattended heat treatment state i.e., normalized condition, although it can be furnished also in numerous heat treatment variations. Machinability of C45 is equivalent to that of mild steel for example CR1 grade; on the other hand weld ability is exhibited lower than that of mild steel [32]. Steel is suitable for producing shafts of turbochargers, pumps, traction machines, electric motors, more giant gears, screws, automobile crankshafts, connecting rods, steering levers, spring hinges or pins.…”