Thermal fatigue testing with repeatable temperature cycles on thermomechanical simulator Gleeble 1500D

Abstract

This paper presents two thermal fatigue tests developed to simulate the typical thermal fatigue behavior of hot work tools and rolls. The tests were carried out on the Gleeble 1500D thermomechanical simulator with computer-controlled heating and cooling of the test specimens. In the first test, internal cooling of the specimens is performed, and in the second test, an external one. This allows constant test conditions and the collection of reliable experimental data on the thermal fatigue behaviour. The internally cooled test rig is used for testing the thermal fatigue properties of bulk materials. ICDP cast iron was used to present the basic capabilities of the test. At the material, the cracks take flattened graphite – cementite pathways. The external cooling test rig, on the other hand was designed for comparative testing of four surface simultaneously. Thus, the capabilities of the second test were presented in the comparative testing of three different laser-welded functionally graded material surface layers and the basic H13 tool steel, simultaneously. The highest thermal fatigue resistance exhibited the weld with the lowest Si content. A quantitative evaluation of thermal fatigue resistance as well as following of degradation processes at both tests is enabled.