Mechanical properties characterization of heat-affected zone using the small punch test

The small punch test (SPT) allows i us to make mechanical characterizations of very small regions in any material as it uses very small test specimens(10xl0xU.5mm3).TheSPTcan be used to characterize the heataffected zones (HAZ) of welded joints, the mechanical properties of which are usually unknown, and which are the most problematic areas because of the possible existence of hard and brittle microstructures. I Since the SPT can be used to obtain mechanical properties (yield strength, j ultimate strength, elongation, fracture energy, and toughness) of small regions, this test was used to evaluate how these properties change inside the HAZ of a welded joint made on a quenched and tempered steel. Several specimens were machined along the HAZ and the corresponding SPTs were performed at room temperature, using a hardness measurement of HV0.5 as a reference. In this case, the strength properties and hardness increase as we move away from the fusion boundary, but the elongation and fracture energy decrease. Heat-Affected Zone (HAZ) Mechanical Properties Small Punch Test (SPT) Quenched and Tempered Steels.