Energy-based approach for the evaluation of low cycle fatigue behaviour of 2.25Cr–1Mo steel at elevated temperature

The energy-based approach for the evaluation of low cycle fatigue behaviour of 2.25Cr–1Mo steel at elevated temperature has been investigated and detailed analyses discussed. Plastic strain energy was determined per cycle and found to characterise both crack initiation and propagation to failure regimes. At cyclic stabilisation, average plastic strain energy may be used as a suitable damage parameter and correlations between experimental and predicted data determined. The fatigue toughness to failure of the material was established and the development of a fatigue toughness to crack propagation analysis is presented.