Temperature and strain-rate effects on low-cycle fatigue behavior of alloy 800H

The effects of strain rate (4 X 10(-6) to 4 X 10(-3) s(-1)) and temperature on the low-cycle fatigue (LCF) behavior of alloy 800H have been evaluated in the range 750 degrees C to 950 degrees C. Total axial strain controlled LCF tests were conducted in air at a strain amplitude of +/-0.30 pet. Low-cycle fatigue life decreased with decreasing strain rate and increasing temperature. The cyclic stress response behavior showed a marked variation with temperature and strain rate. The time- and temperature-dependent processes which influence the cyclic stress response and life have been identified and their relative importance assessed. Dynamic strain aging, time-dependent deformation, precipitation of parallel platelets of M(23)C(6) on grain boundaries and incoherent ledges of twins, and oxidation were found to operate depending on the test conditions. The largest effect on life was shown by oxidation processes.