THE EFFECT OF NON-METALLIC INCLUSIONS ON THE CRAK PROPAGATION IMPACT ENERGY OF TOUGHENED 35B2+Cr STEEL

35B2+Cr steel was designed as a material for screws. The investigations were carried out on toughened samples, taken from three ingots of 35B2+Cr steel (delivered from three various steel suppliers), and of different content of non-metallic inclusions. In each case, the fraction of non-metallic inclusions was in agreement with the corresponding standard. This study presents the results of the research focused on the influence of non-metallic inclusions on the impact energy of crack development in 35B2+Cr steel. The role of non-metallic inclusions was considered both in relation to their total fraction and in relation to the fraction of oxides, sulfides, nitrides and exogenous inclusions separately. Assuming linear dependence between notch-root radius and the impact energy of crack nucleation, basing on the impact toughness tests, the impact energy of the crack development was evaluated. It was proved, that in spite of the level of fraction of non-metallic inclusions compatible with the corresponding standards, they directly or indirectly influence the impact energy of 35B2+Cr steel. This influence depends on the character of the inclusions