Effect of microstructural evolution on the cyclic softening of a 10% Cr martensitic steel under low cycle fatigue at 600 °C

Microstructure evolution and softening during interrupted low cycle fatigue (LCF) tests at 600 °C and constant strain amplitudes of ±0.2% and ±0.6% corresponding to dominance of the elastic and plastic strain components, respectively, was examined in a 10% Cr steel. Cyclic softening attributed to changes in the strengthening from dislocations and lath structure is more pronounced during the first half-life. The Burgers vector analysis of...