Failure Analysis Study on the Failed Bolts of a FLENDER Coupling System: A Case Study
摘要
The aim of this work is to study microstructure, mechanical properties and fractography of bolts that failed in a FLENDER coupling system. The chemical composition and mechanical properties results indicated the material met the requirements for the Class 8.8 high tensile strength steel with the exception of elongation. Microstructure results showed a tempered martensitic microstructure with the presence of a considerable content of microporosities with different sizes of 2–20 µm in both the shank and the thread regions. Fractography images revealed the existence of ratchet, beach and river marks in the fracture surface indicating the fatigue failure mechanism with the microporosities as the primary reason for fatigue crack initiation.