Monotonic and Fatigue Behaviour of the 51CrV4 Steel with Application in Leaf Springs of Railway Rolling Stock

Leaf springs are components of railway rolling stock made of high-strength alloyed steel to resist loading and environmental conditions. Combining the geometric notches with the high surface roughness of its leaves, fatigue models based on local approaches might be more accurate than global ones. In this investigation, the monotonic and fatigue behaviour of 51CrV4 steel for application in leaf springs of railway rolling stock is analysed. Fatigue models based on strain-life and energy-life approaches are considered. Additionally, the transient and stabilised behaviours are analysed to evaluate the cyclic behaviour. Both cyclic elastoplastic and cyclic master curves are considered. Lastly, different fatigue fracture surfaces are analysed using SEM. As a result, the material properties and fatigue models can be applied further in either the design of leaf springs or in the mechanical designs of other components made of 51CrV4 steel.