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Influence of Deep Cryogenic Treatment on the Mechanical Properties of Spring Steels

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Abstract

Leaf springs are mechanical elements responsible for supporting the vertical load on heavy duty vehicles. For this critical structural component, the required mechanical performance depends mainly on chemical composition and heat treatment. SAE 5160 and SAE 6140 steels are widely used as springs, because after heat treatments, the strength requirements of impact and fatigue are obtained. 51CrV4-ACF steel is another spring steel option which also exhibits excellent mechanical properties. The objective of this work was to study the influence of conventional heat treatments and cryogenic treatment on properties involving fatigue and impact resistance of spring steels. Furthermore, fracture toughness was measured for these materials, and the fracture surfaces were analyzed. The results showed that the cryogenic cycles used did not provide positive effects on spring steel performance. On the other hand, the chemical composition and the application of cleanliness technology promoted higher mechanical strength: Fracture toughness of 51CrV4-ACF was 100% higher than SAE 5160 steel.

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Acknowledgments

The authors gratefully acknowledge Rassini NHK Automotive, and Štore Steel for donating the spring steels and Villares Metals S/A for allowing the use of their scanning electron microscope. The authors also wish to place their sincere thanks to the São Paulo Research Foundation (FAPESP—Brazil) for the financial support under the Process No. 2013/16714-2.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. São Carlos School of Engineering, University of São Paulo, São Carlos, Brazil

    Vinícius Richieri Manso Gonçalves & Lauralice de Campos Franceschini Canale

  2. Institute of Metals and Technology, Ljubljana, Slovenia

    Bojan Podgornik & Vojteh Leskovšek

  3. Department of Mechanical and Materials Engineering, Portland State University, Portland, USA

    George Edward Totten

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  1. Vinícius Richieri Manso Gonçalves
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  2. Bojan Podgornik
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  3. Vojteh Leskovšek
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  4. George Edward Totten
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  5. Lauralice de Campos Franceschini Canale
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Correspondence to Vinícius Richieri Manso Gonçalves.

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Gonçalves, V.R.M., Podgornik, B., Leskovšek, V. et al. Influence of Deep Cryogenic Treatment on the Mechanical Properties of Spring Steels. J. of Materi Eng and Perform 28, 769–775 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11665-019-3864-6

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11665-019-3864-6

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