On the Mechanical Properties at Low Temperatures for Steels of Ice-Class Vessels

Tensile tests were conducted at low temperatures for the steel materials which are used for outer shell of the vessels making transit through the polar regions. The selected steel materials were GL-DH32, GL-DH36 and GL-EH36. In comparison with the results at room temperature, the yield stress increases approximately by 10 to 13 percent at -30°C and by 13 to 19 percent at -50°C while the tensile strength increases about by 9 percent at -30°C and 11 to 14 percent at -50°C. To obtain true stress-true strain, i.e. correct plastic hardening characteristics, Bridgman’s(1952) necking correction formula was introduced taking triaxial state of stresses after onset of diffuse necking into consideration. Photographs of fractured surfaces were taken by using Scanning Electron Microscope immedately after tensile tests completed and one for GL-EH36 has been presented in this paper.