Deformation and failure behaviour of 316 LN austenitic stainless steel weld joint under thermomechanical low cycle fatigue in as-welded and thermally aged conditions

Beneficial influence of prior thermal ageing on the cyclic life was demonstrated on a type 316 LN austenitic stainless steel weld joint under thermomechanical fatigue. Tests performed using different temperature intervals showed that the crack initiation occurs mostly in the heat affected zone in the as-welded joint. However, the failure location gets shifted to the weld region following thermal ageing. Mechanisms governing life variations...