FCP Report No. 15

Review of the Mechanical Properties of Cast Steels with Emphasis on Fatigue Behavior and the Influence of Microdiscontinuities

by

M. R. Mitchell
Department of Theoretical and Applied Mechanics

Abstract

Mechanical properties of cast steels are dependent on the microdiscontinuities which they inherently contain. Although at lower hardnesses the strength of steel castings may not be significantly altered by microdiscontinuities, their ductilities and impact resistance can be drastically reduced.

In a similar way, the fatigue behavior of cast steels is pronouncedly altered by the size, shape and distribution of microdiscontinuities. A proposed course for future research on cast irons in general in which a means of predicting their fatigue behavior accounting for variations in matrix strength and the morphology of microdiscontinuities is presented.

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