Influence of stress level on uniaxial ratcheting effect and ratcheting strain rate in austenitic stainless steel Z2CND18.12N

Uniaxial ratcheting behavior of Z2CND18.12N austenitic stainless steel used nuclear power plant piping material was studied. The results indicated that ratcheting strain increased with increasing of stress amplitude under the same mean stress and different stress amplitude, ratcheting strain increased with increasing of mean stress under the same stress amplitude and different mean stress. Based on least square method, a suitable method to arrest ratcheting by loading the materials was proposed, namely determined method of zero ratcheting strain rate. Zero ratcheting strain rate occur under specified mean stress and stress amplitudes. Moreover, three dimensional ratcheting boundary surface graph was established with stress amplitude, mean stress and ratcheting strain rate. This represents a graphical surface zone to study the ratcheting strain rates for various mean stress and stress amplitude combinations. The graph showed the ratcheting behavior under various combinations of mean and amplitude stresses. The graph was also expressed with the help of experimental results of certain sets of mean and stress amplitude conditions. Further, experimentation cost and time can be saved.