EFFECT OF NOTCH DIMENSION AND LOCATION ON FATIGUE LIFE AND THERMAL BEHAVIOR OF LOW CARBON STEEL (ST37-2)

Abstract

The effect of depth and location of the notch on the v-notched specimen on fatigue life of cantilever rotating beam of low carbon steel (ST37-2) is studied, by applying fully reversed cycle load of 150 N, and mean stress of Zero. The temperature variations during fatigue life were measured by infrared camera at three points in specimens. These points are the edge point, notch point and other specified points. Numerically, the finite element model of fatigue test was obtained using the ANSYS Workbench. The ANSYS model was based on the S/N curve measured experimentally.
From the results, there is a notch position that changed the fracture position from the notch position to the edge position. Also, fatigue life can be increased by putting the notch in appropriate position on the specimen. The temperature variation at different points in the specimen gave a good prediction to the fracture position before the fracture occurs. Also, from the comparison between experimental and numerical results, the two curves were similar but the ANSYS model based on the experimental S/N curve gave a good prediction for fatigue life.