materials

Article
Fatigue Properties of the Ultra-High Strength
Steel TM210A
Guang-qiang Yin 1,2 ID
, Xia Kang 1 and Gui-ping Zhao 1, *
1 State Key Laboratory for Strength and Vibration of Mechanical Structures, School of Aerospace,
Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an 710049, China; guangqiang12345@163.com (G.-q.Y.);
18200288310@163.com (X.K.)
2 Institute of Aviation Equipment, Qing’an Group Corporation Limited, Xi’an 710077, China
* Correspondence: zhaogp@xjtu.edu.cn; Tel.: +86-029-8266-5439

Received: 26 July 2017; Accepted: 6 September 2017; Published: 9 September 2017

Abstract: This paper presents the results of an experiment to investigate the high cycle fatigue
properties of the ultra-high strength steel TM210A. A constant amplitude rotating bending fatigue
experiment was performed at room temperature at stress ratio R = −1. In order to evaluate the notch
effect, the fatigue experiment was carried out upon two sets of specimens, smooth and notched,
respectively. In the experiment, the rotating bending fatigue life was tested using the group method,
and the rotating bending fatigue limit was tested using the staircase method at 1 × 107 cycles.
A double weighted least square method was then used to fit the stress-life (S–N) curve. The S–N
curves of the two sets of specimens were obtained and the morphologies of the fractures of the two
sets of specimens were observed with scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The results showed
that the fatigue limit of the smooth specimen for rotating bending fatigue was 615 MPa; the ratio of
the fatigue limit to tensile strength was 0.29, and the cracks initiated at the surface of the smooth
specimen; while the fatigue limit of the notched specimen for rotating bending fatigue was 363 MPa,
and the cracks initiated at the edge of the notch. The fatigue notch sensitivity index of the ultra-high
strength maraging steel TM210A was 0.69.

Keywords: fatigue; ultra-high strength steel; TM210A; notch

1. Introduction
In order to meet the needs of high weight loads, high-transmission ratio, long life, weight
and volume limits of important bearing units such as the leading edge flaps of a certain aircraft,
material must have performance qualities such as high strength (σb ≥ 2058 MPa, σ0.2 ≥ 1960 MPa),
high plasticity (δ5 ≥ 7.5%, ψ ≥ 45%), high toughness (αk ≥ 39.2 J/cm2 , KIC ≥ 62 MPa·m1/2 ), high
hardness (HRC ≥ 51) and high fatigue strength (σ−1 ≥ 680 MPa (3 × 106 )). In the past many materials
have been unable to meet these requirements. Recently, a new ultra-high strength maraging steel
TM210A has been developed based on the design of the 18Ni maraging steel. The maraging steels are
based on the iron-nickel-cobalt-molybdenum system that has emerged as an outstanding family of
materials with exceptional combinations of characteristics. They are applied particulary in automotive,
aerospace, nuclear, gear, bearing and other industries [1]. These grades generally contain 18 wt %
nickel and are commonly designated as 18Nixxxx, where xxxx is the nominal strength value attained
by final heat treatment. Their outstanding attributes include ultra-high strength coupled with high
fracture toughness, and excellent formability under hot and cold working conditions. The material is
commercially available in different strength ranges from 1400 MPa to 2400 MPa [2]. The materials are
low-carbon, and the chemical composition is: C ≤ 0.03%, S ≤ 0.01%, P ≤ 0.01%, Ni18.5%, Co7.5%–9.5%,
Mo3.25%–4.8%, Ti ≥ 0.2%, Al≥0.1%, and others B, Zr, Ca [3,4].

Materials 2017, 10, 1057; doi:10.3390/ma10091057 www.mdpi.com/journal/materials

Materials 2017, 10, 1057 2 of 9

Materials
Materials 2017,10,
At 2017, 10,1057
present, 1057
the material TM210A has been widely used in multi-type aircraft drive devices, such 2 2ofof9 9
as gears, shafts, splines and other important bearing structures. These structural parts are unavoidably
unavoidablysubjected
unavoidably subjected toalternating
alternatingloads
loadsduring
duringaircraft
aircraftservice.
service.Fatigue
Fatigue damageisisthe themain
maincause
cause
subjected to alternatingtoloads during aircraft service. Fatigue damage is damage
the main cause of failure
ofoffailure
of
failureofofthe
the important
theimportant
important structuralparts
structuralstructural
partsininthe
parts in the aircraft.
theaircraft.
aircraft. Statisticsshow
StatisticsStatistics
showthat
show that most
thatmost
mostofofthe
of the service
theservice
service
failures
failuresofofaircraft
failures aircraftcomponents
componentsoccur occurininthe
theform
formofoffatigue
fatiguedamage,
damage,which
whichamounts
amountstotoaboutabout60% 60%ofof
of aircraft components occur in the form of fatigue damage, which amounts to about 60% of total
total failures
total failures [5].Serious
[5].Serious air craft
airflight flight
craftaccidents accidents
flight accidents involving
involving fatigue-related
fatigue-related causes
causes are still occurring
are still occurring
failures [5].Serious air craft involving fatigue-related causes are still occurring at about
atabout
at about100100times
timesper
peryear
yearglobally
globally[6].
[6].
100 times per year globally [6].
InInthis
In
thispaper,
this paper, rotatingbending
paper, rotating
bendingfatigue
rotating bending fatigue
fatiguetests
testswere
werecarried
tests were
carriedout
carried out
outusing
usingthe
using the
theultra-high
ultra-highstrength
strength
ultra-high strength
maragingsteel
maraging steel TM210Ainorder order to investigatethe the fatiguestrength
strengthofofthe
thesmooth
smoothspecimen
specimenand andthe the
maraging steel TM210Ain
TM210Ain ordertotoinvestigate
investigate thefatiguefatigue strength of the smooth specimen and
notchedspecimen,
notched specimen,and andtotoobserve
observethethefracture
fracturemorphology.
morphology.Finally,
Finally,the
thefatigue
fatiguenotchnotchsensitivity
sensitivity
the notched specimen, and to observe the fracture morphology. Finally, the fatigue notch sensitivity
indexwas
index wascalculated.
calculated.
index was calculated.

2.2.Experiment
2. Experiment
Experiment

2.1.Material
2.1. Materialand
andSpecimen
Specimen
Theexperimental
The experimentalmaterial
experimental materialwas
material wasultra-high
was strengthsteel
ultra-highstrength steel TM210A.
steelTM210A.
TM210A.The The
The chemical
chemical
chemical composition
composition
composition ofof
ofTM210A
TM210A is shown in Table 1. The material was solution-treated for 1h at 820 ◦°C in a vacuum,
TM210A is is shown
shown in in Table1.1.The
Table Thematerial
materialwas wassolution-treated
solution-treatedfor 1h at 820 820 °CC in
in aa vacuum,
followedby
followed
followed byair-cooling
by air-cooling
air-cooling andand
and age-hardening
age-hardening
age-hardening for
forfor
4h4h4hat
at at510
510 510
±± 5±◦5C
5°C
°C
ininainsalt
aasalt
salt
bath. bath.
This
bath. This method
method
This method enabled
enabled
enabledthe
the determination
the determination
determination ofof the
of the plane-strain the plane-strain
plane-strain fracture(Ktoughness
fracture toughness
fracture toughness
1C ) by increasing
(K(K1C )
1C ) by
force
by increasing
of force
fatigue-precracked
increasing force ofof
fatigue-precracked
test specimens. Details
fatigue-precracked test specimens.
of the test
test specimens. Details of
specimens
Details the test specimens
andspecimens
of the test experimental and experimental
and procedures
experimentalmake procedures
reference
procedures make
make to
reference
ISO totoISO
ISO12737:2010(E).The
12737:2010(E).The
reference 12737:2010(E).The mechanical
mechanical properties
mechanical properties
of the TM210Aofof
properties the
are
the TM210A
shown
TM210A areshown
in Table
are shown
2. Thein inTable
Table2.2.The
microstructure The
ofmicrostructure
TM210A is the
microstructure ofofmartensite
TM210Aisshown
TM210A isthe
themartensite
martensite 1.shown
in Figure shown The shapeininFigure
Figure
and 1. 1.TheTheshape
dimensions shape and
ofand dimensions
the dimensions
smooth ofofthe
specimen the
(Ksmooth specimen
t = 1)specimen
smooth and notched ( (KKt t==specimen
11) )and
andnotched
notched specimen
(Kt = specimen
2) used in Kt t==fatigue
( (Kthe 22) )used
usedexperiment
ininthe
thefatigue
fatigue areexperiment
shown inare
experiment areshown
shown
Figures 2
and 3, respectively.
ininFigures
Figures22and and3,3,respectively.
respectively.

100μm
100μm

Figure1.1.Microstructure
Figure MicrostructureofoftheTM210A.
theTM210A.

Figure2.2.Schematic
Schematicdiagram
diagramofofsmooth
smoothround-bar
round-barfatigue
fatiguespecimen.
specimen.
FigureFigure
2. Schematic diagram of smooth round-bar fatigue specimen (unit: mm).
Materials 2017, 10, 1057 3 of 9
Materials 2017, 10, 1057 3 of 9

FigureFigure 3. Schematic
3. Schematic diagram
diagram of notched
of notched round-bar
round-bar fatigue
fatigue specimen.
specimen (unit: mm).

Table 1. Chemical
Table 1. Chemical composition
composition of
of the
the TM210A
TM210A (wt
(wt %).
%).

C Si Mn S P Ni Co Mo Ti Al
C Si Mn S P Ni Co Mo Ti Al
0.003 0.09 0.09 0.005 0.004 17.70 10.32 4.30 0.97 0.10
0.003 0.09 0.09 0.005 0.004 17.70 10.32 4.30 0.97 0.10
Table 2. Mechanical properties of the TM210A.
Table 2. Mechanical properties of the TM210A.
Mechanical Property
Tensile Property
Mechanical strength σb 2125 MPa
Yield strength σ0.2
Tensile strength σb
2065 MPa
2125 MPa
Yield Elongation
strength σ0.2 δ5 9.5%
2065 MPa
Reduction
Elongation δof 5 area ψ 60%
9.5%
Reduction
Impact of area ψ
toughnessα 60% 2
42 J/cm
k
Impact toughness αk 2
42 J/cm1/2
Fracture
Fracture toughness
toughness K1C K1C 65 Mpam
65 Mpam 1/2
Hardness
Hardness 5555HRC
HRC

2.2. Fatigue
2.2. Fatigue Experimental
Experimental Method Method
The constant
The constant amplitude
amplitude rotatingrotating bending
bending fatigue
fatigue experimentswere
experimentswere performed performed in in the
the PQ1-6
PQ1-6
bending fatigue experimental machine. The working
bending fatigue experimental machine. The working speed was constant at 5000 r/min. speed was constant at 5000 r/min. The
experimental environment was atmospheric temperature (25
The experimental environment was atmospheric temperature (25 ± 2 ◦ C), humidity (25%–40%RH),± 2 °C), humidity (25%–40%RH), and
the stress
and ratioratio
the stress was was
R = −1.R =The−1. stress
The stress –N)(S–N)
life (Slife curve of the
curve oflow/medium
the low/medium cyclecycle
fatigue regime
fatigue was
regime
determined using the group method, and the fatigue limit at 1 × 10
was determined using the group method, and the fatigue limit at 1 × 107 cycles was determined using
7cycles was determined using the

staircase
the method.
staircase method. TheThe fatigue teststests
fatigue were conducted
were conducted at various
at various stress levels
stress in order
levels to determine
in order to determine the
mean S – N curve with a probability of failure of 50%. The group method
the mean S–N curve with a probability of failure of 50%. The group method of the fatigue properties of the fatigue properties of
metallic engineering materials was determined by testing a set of specimens
of metallic engineering materials was determined by testing a set of specimens at various stress levels at various stress levels
to generate
to generateaafatiguefatiguelife liferelationship
relationship as as a function
a function of stress.
of stress. The The results
results are expressed
are expressed as an as
S–N S–N
ancurve
curve that fits the experimental data, plotted in appropriate coordinates.
that fits the experimental data, plotted in appropriate coordinates. The fatigue tests were conducted to The fatigue tests were
conducted
generate to generate
strength data for strength
a set of data for a set
specimens in aofsequential
specimens way in using
a sequential way method.
the staircase using theThis staircase
starts
method.
the test atThis
a firststarts
stressthe testthat
level at is
a first stress close
preferably level to that
theisestimated
preferably close
mean to the It
strength. estimated mean
selects a stress
strength.
step, It selects
preferably closea to
stress step, preferably
the standard deviation, close to the to
by which standard
vary thedeviation,
stress levelbyduring
whichthe to test.
varyIftheno
stress level during the test. If no information is available about the
information is available about the standard deviation, a step of about 5% of the estimated mean fatiguestandard deviation, a step of
about 5% of the estimated mean fatigue strength may be used as the stress
strength may be used as the stress step. A first specimen, randomly chosen, is tested at the first stress step. A first specimen,
randomly
level to seechosen,
if it failsisbefore
testedthe at the first
given stress level
number to seeFor
of cycles. if it
the fails
nextbefore the given
specimen, also number
randomly ofchosen,
cycles.
For stress
the the next
levelspecimen,
is increased alsoby randomly
a step if thechosen, the stress
preceding level did
specimen is increased by adecreased
not fail, and step if thebypreceding
the same
specimen did not fail, and decreased by the same amount if it failed.
amount if it failed. Testing continues until all the specimens have been tested in this way. The Testing continues untilfracture
all the
specimens have been tested in this way. The fracture morphology of fatigue specimens was
morphology of fatigue specimens was observed using a scanning electron microscope (SEM).
observed using a scanning electron microscope (SEM).
Materials 2017, 10, 1057 4 of 9

3. Results and Discussion

3.1. Fatigue Experimental Results

The experiment was carried out from the high stress level to low stress level. The number of
cycles to failure, abnormal phenomena, and specimen damage was recorded during the process.
The experimental data for smooth and notched specimens of the TM210A are shown in Tables 3
and 4, respectively. From Table 3 to Table 4, the stress amplitudes of the smooth specimen fatigue test
are shown at eight stress levels from 768MPa to 568MPa; and the stress amplitudes of the notched
specimen fatigue test at eight stress levels from 473 MPa to 333 MPa. The average fatigue life at each
stress level can be calculated, as shown in Tables 5 and 6.

Table 3. Fatigue experimental data of the smooth specimens.

Specimen Number Stress Amplitude Fatigue Life Comment Crack Initiation Point
1 768 MPa 140,200 Broken At the specimen surface
2 768 MPa 203,200 Broken At the specimen surface
3 768 MPa 142,100 Broken At the specimen surface
4 728 MPa 152,700 Broken At the specimen surface
5 728 MPa 265,300 Broken At the specimen surface
6 728 MPa 130,500 Broken At the specimen surface
7 688 MPa 732,300 Broken At the specimen surface
8 688 MPa 189,400 Broken At the specimen surface
9 688 MPa 292,300 Broken At the specimen surface
10 648 MPa 534,300 Broken At the specimen surface
11 648 MPa 443,000 Broken At the specimen surface
12 648 MPa 678,600 Broken At the specimen surface
13 628 MPa 10,077,900 Run out No
14 628 MPa 10,080,300 Run out No
15 628 MPa 10,000,000 Run out No
16 628 MPa 375,300 Broken At the specimen surface
17 608 MPa 1,174,400 Broken At the specimen surface
18 608 MPa 5,132,900 Broken At the specimen surface
19 608 MPa 3,684,100 Broken At the specimen surface
20 588 MPa 10,000,000 Run out No
21 588 MPa 10,078,200 Run out No
22 588 MPa 372,100 Broken At the specimen surface
23 568 MPa 10,080,600 Run out No

Table 4. Fatigue experimental data of the notched specimens.

Specimen Number Stress Amplitude Fatigue Life Comment Crack Initiation Point
1 473 MPa 91,300 Broken At the edge of the notch
2 473 MPa 70,400 Broken At the edge of the notch
3 473 MPa 86,900 Broken At the edge of the notch
4 453 MPa 91,300 Broken At the edge of the notch
5 453 MPa 70,400 Broken At the edge of the notch
6 453 MPa 86,900 Broken At the edge of the notch
7 413 MPa 241,600 Broken At the edge of the notch
8 413 MPa 252,600 Broken At the edge of the notch
9 413 MPa 563,700 Broken At the edge of the notch
10 393 MPa 485,500 Broken At the edge of the notch
11 373 MPa 1,967,700 Broken At the edge of the notch
12 373 MPa 1,063,000 Broken At the edge of the notch
13 373 MPa 2,702,000 Broken At the edge of the notch
14 373 MPa 679,000 Broken At the edge of the notch
15 373 MPa 10,070,000 Run out No
16 353 MPa 10,068,700 Run out No
Materials 2017, 10, 1057 5 of 9

Table 4. Cont.

Specimen Number Stress Amplitude Fatigue Life Comment Crack Initiation Point
17 353 MPa 10,068,900 Run out No
18 353 MPa 10,068,000 Run out No
19 353 MPa 2,491,300 Broken At the edge of the notch
20 353 MPa 10,072,700 Run out No
21 353 MPa 715,300 Broken At the edge of the notch
22 333 MPa 10,074,000 Run out No
23 333 MPa 10,074,800 Run out No

Table 5. Fatigue life of the smooth specimens with 50% survival rate.

Smax /MPa 768 728 688 615

N50 /cycle 159,368 174,221 343,558 107

Table 6. Fatigue life of the notched specimens with 50% survival rate.

Smax /MPa 473 453 413 363

N50 /cycle 82,357 173,021 325,237 107

3.2. S–N Curves

The S–N curve is a basic curve for characterizing the fatigue properties of the material. According
to the experimental data from Tables 3–6, the S–N curves of the smooth specimen and the notched
specimen can be fitted. The S–N curve has a variety of forms of expression. The three-parameter S–N
curve model can be used to describe the stress-life relationship of the long-life region. This study
selected the classical three-parameter power function S–N curve model [7].

N (Smax − S0 ) H = C (1)

where Smax is the maximum stress, N is the fatigue life, S0 is the theoretical fatigue limit, H and C are
the material constant. A double weighted least square method is used for fitting.
From the data in Tables 3 and 5, the parameters of the smooth specimen were obtained,
S0 = 613.1649 MPa, H = 0.9665, C = 1.9333 × 107 , and the S–N curve equation of the smooth specimen
was obtained

N (Smax − 613.1649)0.9665 = 1.9333 × 107 (2)

According to the fitting equation, we can draw the S–N curve of the smooth specimens of the
ultra-high strength maraging steel TM210A with a 50% survival rate, as shown in Figure 4. It can be
seen that the fatigue limit of the smooth specimen was not more than 615 MPa.
From the data in Tables 4 and 6, the parameters of the notched specimen were obtained,
S0 = 350.8066MPa, H = 2.0649, C = 1.7488 × 107 , and the S–N curve equation of the notched specimen
was obtained

N (Smax − 350.8066)2.0649 = 1.7488 × 107 (3)

According to the fitting equation, we can draw the S–N curve of the notched specimens of the
ultra-high strength maraging steel TM210A with a 50% survival rate, as shown in Figure 5. It can be
seen that the fatigue limit of the notched specimen was not more than 365 MPa.
Materials 2017, 10, 1057 6 of 9
Materials 2017, 10, 1057 6 of 9
Materials 2017, 10, 1057 6 of 9

Figure 4.
Figure 4. The
The S–N curve
S–N curve for
for the
the smooth
smooth specimens
specimens with
with 50%
50% survival
survival rate.
rate.
Figure 4. The S–N curve for the smooth specimens with 50% survival rate.

Figure 5. The S–N curve for the notched specimens with 50% survival rate.
Figure 5.
Figure 5. The S–Ncurve
The S–N curvefor
forthe
thenotched
notchedspecimens
specimenswith
with50%
50%survival
survivalrate.
rate.
From Figures 4 to 5, it can be seen that the S–N curves of the smooth specimens and the
From
notched Figures 4of to
specimens the5,ultra-high
it can be strength the S–N steel
seen thatmaraging curves of the decreased
TM210A smooth specimens and the
with the decrease
From Figure 4 to Figure 5, it can be seen that the S–N curves of the smooth specimens and the
notched
of specimens
the stress of the
level, and theultra-high
fatigue life strength maraging steel
was prolonged. TM210Astress-life
The fatigue decreased with
data the decrease
contained two
notched specimens of the ultra-high strength maraging steel TM210A decreased with the decrease of
of the Part
parts. stress level,
1: the and
data ofthethe fatigue
test waslife wasinitiation
from prolonged. The the
to before fatigue stress-life
fatigue data contained
limit, which corresponded two
the stress level, and the fatigue life was prolonged. The fatigue stress-life data contained two parts.
parts.
to Part 1: the
the fracture dataspecimen
of the of the test was
due to from initiation
the crack to before the fatigue
initiation-expansion (crosslimit, whichPart
symbols). corresponded
2: the data
Part 1: the data of the test was from initiation to before the fatigue limit, which corresponded to the
to the test
of fracture
was atof lower
the specimen due tointhe
stress levels, crack
which theinitiation-expansion
specimen did not break(cross(circular
symbols). Part 2: the data
symbols).
fracture of the specimen due to the crack initiation-expansion (cross symbols). Part 2: the data of the
of the testa was
For more at intuitive
lower stress levels,Figures
process, in which6 the
andspecimen
7 show didthe not break
fatigue lift(circular
graphssymbols).
for smooth and
test was at lower stress levels, in which the specimen did not break (circular symbols).
For specimens
notched at 1´ 10process,
a more intuitive 7
cycles, Figures 6 andOnly
respectively. 7 showfivethe fatigue
stress levelslift were
graphs for smooth
considered in and
the
For a more intuitive process, Figures 6 and 7 show the fatigue lift graphs for smooth and notched
notched of
analysis specimens
the smooth at ´ 7
specimen,
1 10 cycles,
as respectively.
shown in FigureOnly
6, five
where stress
the levels
beginning were
stressconsidered
was 628MPa, in the
the
specimens at 1 × 107 cycles, respectively. Only five stress levels were considered in the analysis of the
analysis
step of was
stress the smooth
20MPa,specimen, as shown
and the number ofinthe
Figure 6, where
effective the beginning
specimen was 14. Only stressfour
was stress
628MPa, the
levels
smooth specimen, as shown in Figure 6, where the beginning stress was 628MPa, the step stress was
step stress
were was 20MPa,
considered and the of
in the analysis number of the effective
the notched specimen,specimen
as shownwas 14. Only
in Figure 7, four
where stress levels
the stress
20MPa, and the number of the effective specimen was 14. Only four stress levels were considered in
were considered
began at 373 MPa,inthe thestepanalysis of the
stress was 20 notched
MPa, andspecimen,
the number as of
shown in Figure
the effective 7, where
specimen wasthe13.stress
the analysis of the notched specimen, as shown in Figure 7, where the stress began at 373 MPa, the step
began at 373 MPa, the step stress was 20 MPa, and the number of the effective specimen was 13.
stress was 20 MPa, and the number of the effective specimen was 13.
Materials 2017, 10, 1057 7 of 9
Materials
Materials 2017,
2017, 10,
10, 1057
1057 77 of
of 99

Figure
Figure 6. The
Figure 6.
6. The staircase
The staircase figure
staircase figureof
figure ofsmooth
of smoothspecimens.
smooth specimens.
specimens.

Figure 7.
Figure 7.
Figure The
7. The staircase
The staircase figure
staircase figure of
figureof notched
ofnotched specimens.
notchedspecimens.
specimens.

According to the statistical theory

According to the statistical theory
kk ll
1 1
 11  1  k  ii   v
1 l jj jj (4)
σ−1 = k ∑ ii11 σ = n jj11 v σ
n j∑
(4)
k i =1 i =1
j j

where  11 is the mean fatigue limit, k is the number of matched pairs, n is the number of effective
where
specimens, σ−1 isl isthethe
mean fatigue
number limit,
of the k is levels,
stress the number  ii is of
thematched
i-th pairpairs, n is
fatigue the in
limit number of effective
the matched pair,
specimens, l is the number of the stress levels, σi is the i-th pair fatigue limit in the matched pair, σj is
 is the j-th level stress value of the stress levels, and v is the number of the effective specimen in
thejj j-th level stress value of the stress levels, and v j is the jjnumber of the effective specimen in the j-th
the j-th
level level
stress stress
level, level, whether
whether the specimen
the specimen is brokenisor broken
not. or not.
Therefore, the fatigue limit of the smooth
Therefore, the fatigue limit of the smooth specimen was specimen was 615MPa.The
615MPa.The ratioratio of
of the
the fatigue
fatigue limit
limit to
to
tensile strength
tensile strength was was 0.29.
0.29. The
The fatigue
fatigue limit
limit of of thethe notched
notched specimen
specimen was was 363MPa.
363MPa. Besides
Besides this,
this, the
the
fatigue limit of the notched specimen was reduced by about
fatigue limit of the notched specimen was reduced by about 41% compared with the smooth specimen. 41% compared with the smooth
specimen.
3.3. Fractography
3.3. Fractography
The fracture micrographs of the smooth specimens and notched specimens of the ultra-high
strengthThemaraging
fracture steel
micrographs
TM210A of theobserved
were smooth by specimens
scanningand notched
electron specimens
microscopy, of theinultra-high
as shown Figures 8
strength
and maragingItsteel
9, respectively. TM210A
can be seen thatwere observed
the fractures by composed
were scanning of electron microscopy,
the crack as shown
initiation area, the crackin
Figures 8 and
propagation 9, respectively.
area, It can be seen
and the instantaneous that area,
fracture the fractures
whetherwere it wascomposed
a smooth of or the crackspecimen.
notched initiation
area,As theshown
crack propagation area,crack
in Figure 8, the and initiation
the instantaneous fracture
of the smooth area, whether
specimen was atitthe was a smooth
surface of theor
notched specimen.
specimen. In the vicinity of the crack initiation, the crack occurred in a quasi-cleavable way, with a
As shown in Figure 8, the crack initiation of the smooth specimen was at the surface of the
specimen. In the vicinity of the crack initiation, the crack occurred in a quasi-cleavable way, with a
Materials 2017, 10, 1057 8 of 9
Materials 2017, 10, 1057 8 of 9
Materials 2017, 10, 1057 8 of 9
distinct river
distinct river pattern.
pattern.The
Thecrack
crackpropagation
propagation area hadhad
area obvious fatigue
obvious striations,
fatigue and there
striations, were some
and there were
distinct
relativelyriver
largepattern.
step The crack
shapes. The propagation area
instantaneous hadarea
fracture obvious
was a fatigue
rough striations, and there were
dimple.
some relatively large step shapes. The instantaneous fracture area was a rough dimple.
someAs relatively
shown in large
in step9,shapes.
Figure Theinitiation
the crack
crack instantaneous thefracture
of the notchedarea was a rough
specimen atdimple.
was at the front
front end
end of
of the
the
As shown Figure 9, the initiation of notched specimen was the
As
annular shown in
circumferenceFigure 9,
notch the crack
with a initiation
large stress of the notched
concentration, specimen
in a was
distinct at
riverthe front end
pattern. The of the
crack
annular circumference notch with a large stress concentration, in a distinct river pattern. The crack
annular circumference
propagation area notch with a large stressand
concentration, in a distinct river pattern. The crack
propagation areahad obvious
had obviousfatigue striations,
fatigue striations,there
andwere obvious
there weretear edges.
obvious The
tearinstantaneous
edges. The
propagation
fracture area wasarea had
a rough obvious
dimple. fatigue striations, and there were obvious tear edges. The
instantaneous fracture area was a rough dimple.
instantaneous fracture area was a rough dimple.

(a) (b) (c)

(a) (b) (c)
Figure 8. Microstructures
Microstructures ofof fractures
fractures of
of the
the smooth
smooth specimen: (a) Crack initiation;
initiation; (b)
(b) Crack
Figure 8.
Figure 8. Microstructures of fractures of the smooth specimen: (a) Crack
specimen: (a) Crack initiation; (b) Crack
Crack
propagation;
propagation; (c)
(c) Instantaneous
Instantaneous fracture
fracture
propagation; (c) Instantaneous fracture

(a) (b) (c)

(a) (b) (c)
Figure 9. Microstructures of fractures of the notched specimen: (a) Crack initiation; (b) Crack
Figure 9. Microstructures of fractures of the notched specimen: (a) Crack initiation; (b) Crack
Figure 9. Microstructures
propagation; of fracture
(c) Instantaneous fractures of the notched specimen: (a) Crack initiation; (b) Crack
propagation; (c) Instantaneous fracture
propagation; (c) Instantaneous fracture
3.4. Fatigue Notch Sensitivity Index
3.4. Fatigue Notch Sensitivity Index
3.4. Fatigue Notch Sensitivity Index
The theoretical elastic stress concentration factor Kt relates the local stress ahead of the notch
The theoretical elastic stress concentration factor Kt relates the local stress ahead of the notch
tip toThe
far-field loading,
theoretical andstress
elastic is defined as the ratio
concentration of K
factor the maximum
t relates the locallocalstress
stress σmax of
ahead to the
the notch
nominal tip
tip to far-field loading, and is defined as the ratio of the maximum local stress σmax to the nominal
stress S. Under fatigue loading conditions, the elastic stress concentration factor
to far-field loading, and is defined as the ratio of the maximum local stress σmax to the nominal stress is replaced by the
stress S. Under fatigue loading conditions, the elastic stress concentration factor is replaced by the
so-called notch factor:
S. Under fatigue loading conditions, the elastic stress concentration factor is replaced by the so-called
so-called fatigue notch factor:
fatigue notch factor:
unnotched bar endurance limit
K f  unnotched
unnotched bar bar endurance
endurance lim limitit (5)
K f K=f  notched bar endurance limit (5)
(5)
notched endurance lim
notched bar endurance limitit
In
In general,
general, fatigue experiments suggest
suggest that
that notches produce aa less less stress-concentrating effect
In general, fatigue
fatigue experiments
experiments suggest that notches
notches produce
produce a less stress-concentrating
stress-concentrating effect
effect
than predicted by theoretical elastic
elastic analysis,
analysis, such
such that
that wewe find
find KKf ‹‹ K Kf →
Kt;; K Kt for
for large notch-root
than predicted by theoretical elastic analysis, such that we find Kf ‹ Kt; Kf →
than predicted by theoretical f t f →K Ktt for large
large notch-root
notch-root
radii
radii and for higher strength materials. The
The degree of agreement between theoretical predictions of
radii and
and for
for higher
higher strength
strength materials.
materials. The degree
degree of of agreement
agreement between
between theoretical
theoretical predictions
predictions of of
elastic
elastic stress
stress concentration
concentration and
and actual
actual effects
effects is is
oftenoften measured
measured by by
the the so-called
so-called notch notch sensitivity
sensitivity index,
elastic stress concentration and actual effects is often measured by the so-called notch sensitivity
index,
which which is defined
as [8] as [8]
index, is defined
which is defined as [8]
Kf 1
K
qf K −1 1 (0  qf  1) (6)
f 1
q f =q f Ktf K
−t1 (0(0≤ ≤ 1)
 qqf f 1) (6)
(6)
Kt  1
The fatigue
fatigue limits
limitsof
ofthe
thesmooth
smoothspecimen
specimen and thethe
and notched
notchedspecimen of the
specimen of TM210A
the TM210A werewere
615 MPa
615
TheMPa,
and 363 fatigue limits of the smooth specimen
elasticand the notched specimen
factorofKtthe TM210A were 615
MPa and 363 respectively. The
MPa, respectively. theoretical
The theoretical stress
elasticconcentration
stress concentration was 2,Kand,
factor therefore,
t was 2, and,
MPa and 363
the fatigue MPa,
notch respectively.
sensitivity index The
qf wastheoretical
0.69.qf waselastic stress concentration factor Kt was 2, and,
therefore, the fatigue notch sensitivity index 0.69.
therefore, the fatigue notch sensitivity index qf was 0.69.
4. Conclusions
4. Conclusions
Materials 2017, 10, 1057 9 of 9

4. Conclusions
In order to investigate the fatigue strength and the facture mode of the ultra-high strength
maraging steel TM210A, rotating bending fatigue tests were carried out using a smooth specimen and
a notched specimen. The main results obtained were as follows:

(1) The mean fatigue S–N curve and the mean fatigue limit of the smooth specimen and the
notched specimen of the ultra-high strength maraging steel TM210Awere obtained in experiments.
The fatigue limits of the smooth specimen and notched specimen were 615 MPa and 363 MPa,
respectively. The ratio of the fatigue limit to tensile strength was 0.29. The fatigue limit of the
notched specimen was reduced by about 41% compared to the smooth specimen, which indicated
that the notch had a great impact on the fatigue properties of materials.
(2) The fracture micrographs of the smooth specimens and notched specimens of the ultra-high
strength maraging steel TM210A were composed of a crack initiation area, a crack propagation
area, and an instantaneous fracture area. The smooth specimen crack initiated at the specimen
surface, and the notched specimen crack initiated at the edge of the notch with a large
stress concentration.
(3) The fatigue notch sensitivity index of the ultra-high strength maraging steel TM210A was 0.69.

Acknowledgments: This research was sponsored by Qing’an Group Corporation Limited.

Author Contributions: Guang-qiang Yin was responsible for drafting the manuscript, conceived and designed
the experiments, andexecuted the experimental tests. Xia Kang assisted Guang-qiang Yin with processing the data
for the statistical analysis. Gui-ping Zhao was responsible for overseeing the project and finalizing the writing of
the manuscript.
Conflicts of Interest: The authors declare no conflict of interest.

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