Fredrik Bjørheim, Dimitrios Pavlou and Sudath C. Siriwardane
Brinell, Vickers and low-force Vickers hardness measurements are herein adopted to investigate and quantify the fatigue damage evolution in specimens made of S355J2+AR ferritic…
Abstract
Purpose
Brinell, Vickers and low-force Vickers hardness measurements are herein adopted to investigate and quantify the fatigue damage evolution in specimens made of S355J2+AR ferritic pearlitic steel. Though nano and microhardness measurements have been well adopted, they require a strict preparation routine, whereas macroscopic hardness measurements are not as stringent.
Design/methodology/approach
The feasibility of adopting macroscopic hardness measurements as a means of measuring fatigue damage is investigated through a combination of experimental tests and finite element analyses with both Brinell and Vickers hardness indenter.
Findings
It is found that the Brinell hardness measurements method seems more feasible, regarding finding a continuous and significant change during the fatigue life, in comparison to both Vickers and low-force Vickers. Thereafter, the question regarding the feasibility of the hardness measurements as a method of assessing accumulated fatigue damage in situ is discussed.
Originality/value
Much work has previously been performed towards correlation of the micro and nano hardness indentations, which generally has stringent preparation requirements before testing. Herein, the adoption of macroscopic hardness measurements as a means of assessing accumulated fatigue damage is considered both experimentally and theoretically.