The fatigue strength evaluation of S540Q steel and its welded joints

The research deals with the examination of thermally hardened sheets of weldable S540Q steel of high strength, obtained by thermo mechanical treatment. Conventional rolling and controlled rolling with rapid cooling processes were compared. Example of technological process of high strength sheets production was presented. The basic mechanical properties of this steel were determined (static tensile tests results as well as technological bend tests results were given). Then the steel sheets were welded by a semi-automatic MAG method. The research on the quality of welded joints was performed and their suitability for further research was worked out. Mechanical properties of S540Q steel welded joints were elaborated. The mechanical properties of native material were compared to the properties of welded joints. Joints microstructure was examined in the joints axis, in heat-affected zone and in native material. Fatigue tests were conducted in the non-symmetric tension - compression cycle for the welded joints. The computational fatigue strength was determined and then compared to fatigue strength of the welded joints. The tests results were elaborated statistically by the analysis of linear regression. Wöhler charts were made after conducting fatigue tests. The analysis of increasing the fatigue strength of S540Q steel welded joints was also performed.