Fracture analysis and embrittlement phenomena of machined brass components, Procedia Structural Integrity, 2017 Vol. 5, pp. 476-483.
Abstract
Fracture analysis and metallographic characterization is performed in selected
machinable brass components, for use in hydraulic installations. Evidence of brittle
fracture was mainly indicated by the presence of intergranular failure and limited
plasticity areas. Multiple cracking was observed at the most highly stressed areas,
such as the crests of the threads, the cross section transitions and thinnest wall
locations. Fractographic analysis performed using Field Emission SEM, suggested
the occurrence of embrittling phenomena, probably attributed to overheating and
subsequent Pb-phase grain boundary segregation. Metallographic cross section
investigation rather supported the failure hypothesis, implying that hot shortness is
the plausible cause of ductility trough and brittle failure.