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Spring Fatigue Fractures Due to Microstructural Changes in Service

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Abstract

Multiple in-service fractures of torsion springs were experienced in the same system, which was the support assembly to the electrical pickup for an electric-powered vehicle, similar to a subway rail car or electric trolley car. Scanning electron microscopy and metallographic examinations determined that the fractures initiated due to electric arc damage. Intergranular quench cracks at the spring surface through the transformed untempered martensite provided crack initiations for fatigue that propagated during operation.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Materials Testing, Applied Technical Services, Inc., Marietta, GA, USA

    J. Maciejewski

  2. Failure Analysis and Metallurgy, Applied Technical Services, Inc., Marietta, GA, USA

    B. Akyuz

Authors
  1. J. Maciejewski
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  2. B. Akyuz
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Correspondence to J. Maciejewski.

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Maciejewski, J., Akyuz, B. Spring Fatigue Fractures Due to Microstructural Changes in Service. J Fail. Anal. and Preven. 14, 148–151 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11668-014-9783-9

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11668-014-9783-9

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