After the cutting, the edges were grinded from the plate side to ensure a sufficient connection

between the cut surface and the fatigue strength, without influence from the cut edges surface
conditions.
Waterjet cutting will also be investigated since no heat is added in the cutting process and
therefore there will be no HAZ in the material. The specimens cut by the waterjet were smaller
than the other specimens due to limitations in the cutting range in the waterjet machine. The
proportions are the same as for the other specimens, see Figure 3.

Figure 3. Geometry of specimen cut with waterjet.

2.2 Thermal cutting

Thermal cutting is most often used as preparation of the material before welding. It is a way of
cutting that has been developed considerably well, especially laser and plasma cutting [3]. In this
thesis only three different methods were used, gas, plasma and waterjet cutting. This to compare
in what extent the cut edge with its roughness is affecting the fatigue life. One significant
occurrence when cutting steel thermally is the phenomena denoted HAZ, heat affected zone as
mentioned before. It means that the material near the cut gets thermally damaged, the material is
not melted and its microstructure and properties has changed due to the heat. This is why
waterjet cutting will also be investigated since no heat is added in the cutting process and
therefore there will be no HAZ in the material. The methods are listed and explained below, for
this project the plasma and gas cutting was carried out at a supplier BE group and the waterjet
cut specimens at the mechanical department at KTH.

Laser
The laser beam with a diameter of 0.05-0.25 mm is focused by a lens or mirror against the work
piece where the beam is concentrated to a little point, which then melts, burns, vaporises or
blows away materials. During the laser cutting process an assisting gas is used to protect the
surface for oxidation reactions. The temperature gradient generated in the cutting section
becomes high during the process; which results in high residual stress levels while reducing the
end product quality. The advantages of laser are the accuracy, speed and flexibility [4]. Laser cut
edges also becomes straight, shiny and thin with small loss of material. The influence of the laser
cutting is characterized as the profile ratio of the striations formed in the cut edge surface and
this has a major influence.

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