Vibrational measurement of the specific damping capacity of 15-5 ph stainless steel

Abstract

In order to quantify the phenomenon of mechanical hysteresis in precision force transducers, the specific damping capacity (SDC) of 15-5 ph stainless steel having various heat treatments was measured. Extraneous damping was greatly reduced by testing under vacuum. The results at cyclic stresses of 200 MPa in vibrational bending at room temperature were compared to static tests of force transducers, made from the same material and heat treated to the same specifications, also at 200 MPa maximum stress. This comparison confirms the vibrational test as a quick and reliable method for indicating the hysteresis characteristics of a material/heat treatment combination. However, no proportional relationship between the SDC and force transducer hysteresis was established. An attempt is made to explain the variation of SDC with the heat treatment of the steel.