Electron beam irradiation effects on fatigue crack growth resistance in an austenitic steel

The effect of electron beam surface treatment (EBST) on fatigue crack growth (FCG) resistance of an austenitic steel has been investigated. The EBST results in significant improvement in the FCG resistance. The beneficial effect is attributed to extensive crack closure as a result of residual stresses originating during EBST. A comparison with the FCG data of the alloy surface treated with other high-energy beam sources such as lasers reveals that EBST could provide similar improvements in the FCG resistance. © 1994.