Characterization and performance of high strength steel 51CrV4 under cyclic loading

Abstract

The high alloyed spring steel 51CrV4 is widely used in engineering applications with high requirements on strength, durability, and safety. The present paper contains experimental results regarding its microstructural characterization and the mechanical behaviour, especially the fatigue life of 51CrV4. Fundamental S-N curves at fully reversed tension-compression and rotating bending have been determined covering the whole area of practical interest, from the Low Cycle Fatigue regime until the engineering endurance limit. These S-N curves can be directly used for the design as well as for the fatigue assessment of engineering components made of this material. The international literature contains very few and isolated data regarding the mechanical behaviour of 51CrV4, while corresponding material properties are totally missing. The material data and properties provided here may be implemented in international cyclic material databases for further exploitation in Industry and Academia.