Fatigue Strength of AL-6XN Superaustenitic Stainless Steel

摘要

Full scale tests of welded nonmagnetic AL-6XN superaustenitic stainless steel I-beams are currently underway to assess the fatigue strength of several weld details. A total of 45 full scale I-beams have been tested under a constant amplitude load study. The test program was developed to assess the effects of minimum stress, stress range, and residual stress on the fatigue behavior of a longitudinal fillet weld detail, a simulated bulkhead detail, and groove weld details. Furthermore, the study incorporates a factorial experiment design in terms of stress range and minimum stress for a direct comparison of results with previous studies on carbon-manganese and HSLA 80 steels. This comparison will allow for the continued use of current design rules regarding welded details, or provide information to appropriately modify those design rules for use with welded AL-6XN stainless steel details.