Os aços ARBL tem cada vez mais destaque na produção de auto-peças. Os atrativos são elevados limites de escoamento e resistência, resistência química, boa soldabilidade e estampabilidade. Estes atrativos fazem dos aços ARBL itens importantes no desenvolvimento de novos produtos, projetos de redução de custo e melhoria de processos. As inovações tecnológicas e a exigência de produtos cada vez mais robustos em sua aplicação têm levado a indústria a buscar em outros tipos de materiais as propriedades que possam satisfazer as especificações de projetos. O objetivo deste trabalho é entender a microestrutura e o comportamento mecânico da região soldada de dois aços ARBL e compara-los ao aço SAE1010AA visando a produção de aro para rodas de caminhão e ônibus. O processo de soldagem utilizado é conhecido como soldagem por resistência, onde a união das extremidades do blank é feita por aquecimento através de uma diferença de potencial sem adição de material. Os aços ARBL utilizados são o RD480 produzido pela CSN e o S275JR produzido pela CST. As uniões soldadas são caracterizadas por meio de ensaios de tração, tração com entalhe, impacto e avaliação da tenacidade à fratura através de medidas de CTOD. Os resultados obtidos nos ensaios mecânicos e as análises de microetrutura mostraram que os aços ARBL estudados possuem características mecânicas que os tornam ótimas opções na substituição do aço SAE1010AA na produção de aros para rodas sem câmara. Este trabalho teve o apoio da IOCHPE MAXION, divisão de rodas e chassis. / The HSLA steels have been increasingly highlighted in the production of automotive parts. Their attractives are high yield and ultimate strengths, chemical resistance, weldability and formability. These features make the HSLA steels an important item in the development of new products, design for cost reduction and process improvement. The technological innovations and product requirements have lead the industries to seek for new materials with properties that could meet the design specifications. The objective of this work is to understand the microstructure and the mechanical behavior of the weld zone of two types of HSLA steels and compare with the current steel (SAE1010AA) used in the manufature of rim wheels for truck and bus. The welding process used is this study is known as Flash weld, which is commonly used in the manufacture of wheel rims. The chosen HSLA steels are the RD480 (From CSN Inc.) and S275JR (From CST Inc.). The welded joints are characterized by means of notched and unotched tensile tests, impact tests and fracture toughness evaluation through CTOD measurements. The results obtained in mechanical testing and analysis showed that microetrutura studied HSLA steels have mechanical properties that make them great options in replacing steel SAE1010AA in the production of wheel rims to tubeless. This work was supported by IOCHPE-MAXION, division of wheels and chassis.

O presente trabalho avalia e compara os resultados da tenacidade à fratura da zona termicamente afetada (ZTA) de soldas múltiplos passes por meio de ensaios de CTOD. Para este estudo, foi utilizado um aço alta resistência e baixa liga (ARBL) resistente à corrosão ambiental. As soldas foram realizadas com insumo de calor de 30 e 50 kJ/cm em um chanfro 1/2 K. Os resultados dos ensaios de CTOD mostraram que a solda produzida com maior insumo de calor apresenta tenacidade à fratura mais elevada. A análise microestrutural revelou que as microestruturas de elevada dureza e baixa tenacidade, formadas na ZTA de granulação grosseira, para a condição de 30 kJ/cm, deram lugar às microestruturas de tenacidade mais elevada, para o insumo de calor de 50 kJ/cm. / In this work the fracture toughness results of the heat affected zone (HAZ) in a multiple pass welds using a crack tip opening displacement (CTOD) concept were evaluated and compared. It was used an ambiental resistent high strengh low alloy steel. The welds were carried out using a heat input of 30 and 50 kJ/cm in a bevel preparation 1/2 K. The results of CTOD testing showed that increasing heat input, caused an improvement in the weldments fracture toughness. Microstructural analysis revealed that the high hardness and low toughness microstructures formed at coarse grain HAZ, near fusion line, for welding condition 30 kJ/cm were changed to higher toughness microstructure using a heat input of 50 kJ/cm.

A avaliação da integridade estrutural de dutos pelo uso de corpos-de-prova laboratoriais depende da escolha de corpos-de-prova de geometrias que representem condições de restrições plásticas na frente da trinca, similares às encontradas nas condições operacionais dos dutos. O Núcleo de Ensaios de Materiais e Análise de Falhas, NEMAF do SMM, EESC-USP vem realizando pesquisas para o desenvolvimento de corpos-de-prova e metodologias experimentais que melhor represente esta situação. Entretanto, no caso de dutos existem situações onde a geometria e o tamanho do corpo-de-prova são limitados pelas dimensões do duto. Este trabalho apresenta o desenvolvimento e aplicação de espécimes SE(T) em aço API 5L X70, avaliando a influência da geometria e dimensões do corpo-de-prova na tenacidade à fratura do citado aço, sendo este utilizado na fabricação de dutos para transporte de gás e petróleo. Para isto, foram obtidas curvas de resistência à propagação dúctil de trincas, curvas J-R\'s, utilizando a metodologia do espécime único (single specimen) em conjunto com a técnica da variação da flexibilidade elástica (unloading elastic compliance), medida na boca da trinca (CMOD) que fornece ao mesmo tempo a área plástica abaixo da curva de carregamento versus deslocamento e o tamanho da trinca, segundo a norma de ensaios ASTM E1820-05. Foram ensaiados corpos-de-prova SE(T) com trincas rasa (a/W=0,2) e profunda (a/W=0,5) e razão W/B de 2,5 e 1,0, com a finalidade de garantir que o ensaio seja realizado em dominância de um estado plano de deformação como recomendado pela referida norma, para outros tipos de corpos-de-prova. Dos resultados observou-se que, independente do tamanho de trinca inicial adotado, não foram observadas diferenças significativas nas curvas J-R. Este fato pode ser comprovado nos casos de W/B = 2,5 e 1,0, sendo obtidas curvas J-R similares para cada caso, independente do valor de a/W. Entretanto, na grande maioria dos CDP\'s, foi obtida uma propagação dúctil de trinca anômala, ou seja, trincas que apresentam um tunelamento acentuado, decorrente de um elevado estado de tensão plana próximo das laterais, mesmo com o entalhe lateral de 20% da espessura. Os corpos-de-prova com W/B = 1,0 foram capazes de produzir curvas J-R, sem que as trincas apresentassem tunelamento e que os valores médios de trinca (ai e af) medidos conforme a norma (ASTM, 2005), são bastante próximos dos valores obtidos pelo método da variação de flexibilidade elástica. As razões para este fato são discutidas em detalhes. De um modo geral as delaminações, quando existente, não permitem uma correta medição do tamanho de trinca. Ainda, contrário à observação de outros pesquisadores, neste trabalho, foi observado que em vários casos as delaminações induziram fratura instável. / The evaluation of pipes´ structural integrity from laboratories specimens depends on choosing the right specimen geometry that is able to present the conditions of plastic constrain at the crack tip, similar to the one found in the pipes´ operational conditions. The NEMAF Group from SMM, EESC-USP has been performing studies in this area, trying to develop specimen´s geometry that is able to represent this situation, as well as the necessary experimental methodologies to evaluate the fracture toughness of pipes. However, in some cases, the pipe size is a limiting factor in determining the specimen size and geometry. In this work is presented the development and application of specimens SE(T), evaluating the influence of the geometry and dimensions of the specimens on the fracture toughness of API 5L X70 steel, regularly used in the pipes for gas and petroleum transportation. Therefore, the resistance curves to ductile crack propagation, J-R`s curves, using the single specimen methodology, together with the variation of the elastic compliance technique (multiple unloading), measure at the crack mouth (CMOD) that provides both the plastic area under the load x displacement curve and crack size, according to the ASTM E1820-05 standard. The SE(T) specimens with shallow (a/W=0.2) and deep (a/W=0.5) cracks and W/B ratio of 2.5 and 1.0 trying to reduce the amount of plastic deformation and a straight crack front, as well as a dominance of a plane strain state at the crack tip, as recommended by the ASTM E1820-05 standard for other specimens type. From the results it was observed that, independent of the initial a/W, no significant differences were observed in the J-R curves. This fact is verified in both cases, this is, W/B = 2.5 and 1.0. However, in the great majority of CDP\'s with W/B = 2.5, it was obtained an anomalous crack propagation during testing, in other words, they presented an accentuated tunneling due to a high plane tension state near the CDP´s lateral faces, even with the side groove of 20% thickness. The specimens with W/B = 1.0 were capable to produce J-R curves with straight crack fronts, this is, without tunneling, allowing the measurement of medium values of the crack (ai e af) according to the ASTM E1820-05 standard. The reasons for this fact are discussed in details in this work. In general, the split, when present, did not allow a correct crack size measurement. Still, contrary to the other researchers\' observation, in this work, it was observed that in several cases the splits were able to induced unstable fracture.

Aplicações de alto desempenho, como as de dutos utilizados no transporte de derivados de petróleo, exigem materiais com uma combinação excepcional de propriedades mecânicas, dentre as quais, elevada resistência mecânica, tenacidade e resistência à fadiga. O aço API 5L X70 com adição de nióbio apresenta-se, quando comparado com o API 5L X70 padrão, como sendo uma opção para a melhora em seu processo de fabricação, sendo sua composição química diferenciada, devido a um maior teor de nióbio. A Arcelor Mittal Tubarão tem mostrado interesse em fabricar aços API X70/X80, sem a adição de V e com adições de Nb acima do recomendado pela Petrobras. O objetivo principal deste trabalho é o estudo da resistência mecânica e de tenacidade à fratura de dois aços API 5L X70, com teores de Nb de 0,06% e Nb de 0,09% em peso, processados conforme processo HSM Arcelor Mittal Tubarão. Para o atendimento deste objetivo, serão executadas a caracterização microestrutural conforme norma ASTM E3, ensaios de tração conforme ASTM E8M e ensaios de tenacidade à fratura conforme a norma ASTM E1820 com obtenção das curvas J-R\'s. Foram retirados corpos de prova da região de material base, região da solda e zona termicamente afetada. A partir dos resultados obtidos observa-se que o processo de laminação controlada a quente da Arcelor Mittal, produziu microestruturas bastante similares para ambas as composições, produzindo parâmetros de resistência mecânica similares e que atenderam o especificado pela Norma API 5L X70, nível PSL2. As soldas se apresentaram, a partir de valores de dureza, ligeiramente superiores ao do metal base (overmatch), sendo o resultado de microestruturas bastante similares. Os ensaios para obtenção das curvas J-R foram capazes de apresentar resultados representativos da resistência à propagação dúctil de trinca, para as espessuras de tubos estudadas. Estes resultados indicaram elevada resistência a propagação dúctil de trinca em ambos os aços, sendo que, o MB do aço NNb apresentou resistência superior ao ANb. O MS apresentou curvas J-R bem inferiores às do MB e ZTA. Estas diferenças foram atribuídas a composição microestrutural de cada região. / High performance applications such as pipelines used to transport oil products require materials with an exceptional combination of mechanical properties, such as high mechanical strength, toughness and fatigue resistance. The API 5L X70 steel with enhanced niobium as an option to the production of this type of HSLA steel. Arcelor Mittal, Tubarão/Brazil has great interest in producing API 5L X70/X80 steels, without V and with Nb content above the recommended by Petrobras. Thus, the main objective of this thesis is the study of the mechanical strength and fracture toughness of API 5L X70 steel with Nb content of 0.06% Nb and 0.09% by weight processed as HSM Arcelor Mittal Tubarão process. To meet this goal, microstructural characterization following the ASTM E3, tensile tests following the ASTM E8M and Elastic Plastic Fracture toughness testing, according to ASTM E1820, were carried out. Specimens were taken from the base material region, weld bead and heat affected zone. From the results obtained it was observed that the controlled hot rolling process from ArcelorMittal, produced very similar microstructures for both compositions, as a consequence similar mechanical resistance and both met the criteria specified by the API Standard 5L X70, PSL2 level. The produced girth welds presented hardness values slightly higher than those from the base metal (overmatch), and resulted in very similar microstructures. The fracture toughness tests were able to provide valid JR curves that are representative results of resistance to ductile crack propagation for this pipe thickness. Both steels presented resistance to ductile crack propagation, and that the MB of the NNB steel showed superior resistance to the ANb steel. MS showed the lowest J-R curves, while MB and ZTA presented similar behavior. These differences were attributed to microstructural composition of each region.

The mechanical properties of boron carbide (B4C) with 10 and 20 vol% particulate inclusions of commercially available nano-sized alpha-phase silicon carbide (a-SiC) or micron-sized titanium diboride (TiB2) were investigated so as to produce a fine-grained material with high hardness, toughness, and overall strength in order to increase the effectiveness of B4C as a structural ceramic, whose use in the field has been limited because of the extreme brittle nature of the material. Full density sintering of the ceramics (≥99% theoretical) was completed using the novel Plasma Pressure Compaction (P²C®) technique, which limited grain growth due to a reduced processing temperature and a significantly reduced consolidation time. The reinforced ceramic composites had particulate grains homogeneously distributed within the B4C matrix. X-ray diffraction patterns confirmed that the constituents did not interdiffuse. The four-point flexure strength for the monolithic B4C ceramic was found to be significantly larger than any recorded value found in scientific literature, and was most likely attributed to the fine-grained microstructure resulting from the P²C® processing. The mechanical properties of the nano-sized a-SiC-B4C ceramics showed a slight increase in the Chevron-notched four-point bend fracture toughness due to the crack deflection toughening mechanism. A slight decrease in the Vickers microhardness and the static elastic modulus values were also observed. A significant increase in the fracture toughness as well as a slight increase in the microhardness and elastic modulus of the micron-sized TiB2-B4C materials was found. The toughening mechanism of this composite was attributed to the slight chemical bond between the B4C matrix and the ultra-small, ultra-tough TiB2 particulates, which forced a propagating crack to completely rip apart the TiB2 reinforcing particles. This cleaving nature resulted in significant amounts of energy being absorbed by the micron-sized particulates. It was concluded that the composite with 20 vol% TiB2 allowed for the largest gain in toughness because it possessed the largest number of ultra small, ultra tough particulate-cracktip interactions.

No description available.

A new testing method was introduced and developed to determine Mode I fracture toughness of disc type rock specimens. The new method was named as Straight Notched Disc Bending and it uses disc specimens under three-point bending. 3D Numerical modeling was carried out with a finite element program ABAQUS to find stress intensity factors for both well-known Semi-circular Bending specimen models and Straight Notched Disc Bending specimen models for varying disc geometries. Both specimen types included notches where a crack front is introduced at the tip of the notch to compute the stress intensity factors. For stress intensity analysis, crack front-upper loading point distance and span length between the two roller supports at the bottom boundary of the specimens were changed. Fracture toughness testing was carried on Ankara G&ouml / lbaSi pink colored andesite for both specimen types / crack front-upper loading point distance and span length between the two roller supports at the bottom boundary of the specimens were changed during the tests. For both specimen geometries, notch lengths changing from 5 mm to 20 mm were used. For each notch length, two different roller supports with span lengths 60 mm and 70 mm were used. For both methods, fracture toughness values determined by using numerically computed stress intensity factors and failure loads obtained from the experiments were very close / the new method was verified by comparing the results. The new method had advantages of lower confining pressure at the crack front and lower stress intensities with a possible smaller crack tip plasticity region.

Flattened Brazilian disc and modified ring test methods are attractive methods being simpler compared to the other mode I fracture toughness testing methods on rock cores. The aim of this study is to improve these simple methods to yield fracture toughness values that are close to the ones determined by the suggested methods. ABAQUS finite element program was used to determine stress intensity factors of models with various dimensions. Comparing fracture toughness to the results obtained by semicircular bending method tests (0.94 MPa&amp / #8730 / m for andesite and 0.56 MPa&amp / #8730 / m for marble) and the cracked chevron notched Brazilian disc method tests (1.45 MPa&amp / #8730 / m for andesite and 1.08 MPa&amp / #8730 / m for marble), proper geometrical parameters were investigated by changing diameter, central-hole diameter, and loading angle of Ankara andesite and Afyon marble specimens. Semicircular bending method results were lower than the cracked chevron notched Brazilian disc method results. With flattened Brazilian disc method, the closest results (1.45 MPa&amp / #8730 / m for andesite and 1.12 MPa&amp / #8730 / m for marble) to the suggested method was obtained by 54 mm diameter discs with loading angles between 32.5&deg / and 38.0&deg / and with thicknesses between 19 mm and 34 mm. With modified ring test on andesite, the closest results to the suggested method was obtained by 75 mm diameter discs with 8 mm central-hole diameter and 25&deg / loading angle (1.47 MPa&amp / #8730 / m for andesite and 1.07 MPa&amp / #8730 / m for marble), and with 14 mm central-hole diameter and 16&deg / loading angle (1.50 MPa&amp / #8730 / m for andesite and 1.05 MPa&amp / #8730 / m for marble).

No description available.

The paper presents results of a research project founded by the Swiss Federal Nuclear Inspectorate concerning the application of the Master Curve approach in nuclear reactor pressure vessels integrity assessment. The main focus is put on the applicability of pre-cracked 0.4T-SE(B) specimens with short cracks, the verification of transferability of MC reference temperatures T0 from 0.4T thick specimens to larger specimens, ascertaining the influence of the specimen type and the test temperature on T0, investigation of the applicability of specimens with electroerosive notches for the fracture toughness testing, and the quantification of the loading rate and specimen type on T0. The test material is a forged ring of steel 22 NiMoCr 3 7 of the uncommissioned German pressurized water reactor Biblis C. SE(B) specimens with different overall sizes (specimen thickness B=0.4T, 0.8T, 1.6T, 3T, fatigue pre-cracked to a/W=0.5 and 20% side-grooved) have comparable T0. T0 varies within the 1σ scatter band. The testing of C(T) specimens results in higher T0 compared to SE(B) specimens. It can be stated that except for the lowest test temperature allowed by ASTM E1921-09a, the T0 values evaluated with specimens tested at different test temperatures are consistent. The testing in the temperature range of T0 ± 20 K is recommended because it gave the highest accuracy. Specimens with a/W=0.3 and a/W=0.5 crack length ratios yield comparable T0. The T0 of EDM notched specimens lie 41 K up to 54 K below the T0 of fatigue pre-cracked specimens. A significant influence of the loading rate on the MC T0 was observed. The HSK AN 425 test procedure is a suitable method to evaluate dynamic MC tests. The reference temperature T0 is eligible to define a reference temperature RTTo for the ASME-KIC reference curve as recommended in the ASME Code Case N-629. An additional margin has to be defined for the specific type of transient to be considered in the RPV integrity assessment. This margin also takes into account the level of available information of the RPV to be assessed.