This research presents a thermo-mechanical analysis of the martensitic stainless steel 423Co when submitted to a thermal fatigue test carried out in such a way that simulates the work conditions of the rolls used in continuous caster process. In order to perform this experiment it was developed an equipment to reproduce the behavior of materials submitted to a continuous thermal gradient. In this study the following parameters were considered: the cooling and heating system to produce thermal cycles; the type and geometry of the sample; the total restraint and control of the strain state applied on the sample during the test. The monitoring and control of these parameters were carried out through a system of data acquisition which allows "in situ" correction during the test. It was observed that these parameters provide an efficient simulation of the thermal fatigue phenomenon on the analyzed material, mainly on the martensitic stainless steel 423Co. The thermal fatigue tests realized with the equipment showed the evolution of the main deteriorating mechanism in metals, particularly for the martensitic stainless steel 423Co which is utilized as covering of the studied rolls.
thermal fatigue; thermal fatigue test; thermo-mechanical behavior
