International Journal of Engineering Materials and Manufacture (2020) 5(3) 68-75 

https://doi.org/10.26776/ijemm.05.03.2020.01 

 

S. Abdulkareem , R. A. Busari, L. A. Fashola and I. A. Madu 

Department of Mechanical Engineering,  

Faculty of Engineering and Technology,  

P.M.B. 1515, University of Ilorin, Nigeria. 

E-mail: sulkarm@yahoo.com 

 

Reference: Abdulkareem, S., Busari, R. A., Fashola, L. A and Madu, I. A. (2020). Characteristics of Notched High Strength Materials 

under Tension, Torsion and Impact Loading. International Journal of Engineering Materials and Manufacture, 5(3), 68-75. 

 

 

Characteristics of Notched High Strength Materials under Tension, Torsion 

and Impact Loading 

 

Abdulkareem, S., Busari, R. A., Fashola, L. A and Madu, I. A 

 

 

Received: 12 April 2020 

Accepted: 09 June 2020 

Published: 30 July 2020 

Publisher: Deer Hill Publications 

© 2020 The Author(s) 

Creative Commons: CC BY 4.0 

 

 

ABSTRACT 

High carbon steel (AISI 1065) and stainless steel (AISI 304) are high strength materials that are mostly used as wear 

resistance materials because of their high hardness and toughness. These two materials are widely used for applications 

in which high strength, hardness and wear resistance are required, and these requirements are fund in cutting tools, 

springs and surgical instruments. Nevertheless, the presence of notch in these materials do affect their service life. This 

paper reports on the characteristics of notched high carbon steel and stainless steel materials investigated under tensile, 

torsion and impact loads. The behaviour of the materials was examined under different notch parameters of angle 

30°, 45° and 60° and notch base radius of 0.5 mm and 1.0 mm. The tensile, torsion and impact test samples were 

prepared according to ASTM E8M, ASTM F383-15 and ASTM E23-16b respectively. Examination on the tensile and 

torsion tests were carried out on Testometric Universal Testing Machine (TUTM), while Avery-Denison Izod impact 

testing machine was used for impact test. The results obtained for the two materials showed that there is increase in 

absorption energy and resistance to twisting failure as notch tip radius and notch angle increase. 

 

Keywords: Hardened steels, Notch parameters, Mechanical properties. 

 

1 INTRODUCTION 

High carbon (AISI 1065) and stainless steels (AISI 304) are two types of materials widely used for applications in 

which high strength, hardness and wear resistance are required particularly in tools steel, dies, cutting tools, springs 

in manufacturing and automobile industries as well as surgical instruments in medical industries [1-3]. The performance 

of these material during their service life depends on inherent properties of the materials, loading system, maintenance 

culture and environmental effects. These factors can be attributed basically to either the design, manufacturing 

deficiencies and or handling issue [4]. Hence, presence of notch which affect the performance of most materials 

irrespective of their service or loading conditions could be as a result of design/manufacturing problem or handling 

issue ([5-6]. 

Most engineering components and structures do have notch of various shapes which could be in the form of V-

shape threads on bolts, surface scratches, key ways grooves on shafts, non-metallic inclusions and corners, fillets and 

discontinuities in geometrical shapes, cracks in smooth structural components such as round bars, pipes and shells [7-

9]. Stress developed by notch of any form do influence the behaviour of materials and the study of notch properties 

of materials provides information regarding the effects of stress concentrations of varying magnitude which also helps 

to understanding how stresses influence material performance under service [10-11]. 

Many research works among whom are [12-22], Kobayashi et al, 2019; Naqiuddin et al, 2017; Nath & Das, 2006; 

Rittel et al, 2014; Rozumek et al, 2006; Tlilan et al, 2006; Tlilan, et al 2005; Todkari et al, 2015; Zappalorto & 

Lazzarin, 2011; Zehsaz et al, 2010; Zhao et al, 2019 have been documented on the effects of notch on materials 

behaviour. However, documented work on high strength materials such as high carbon (AISI 1065) and stainless steels 

(AISI 304) are rarely available. 

Hence, the objective of this work is to examine the characteristics of the two high strength steels (high carbon 

steel and stainless steel) under tensile, torsion and impact loading conditions. The behaviour of the materials were 

examined under V-shaped notch geometry of different notch parameters of angle 30°, 45° and 60° and notch base 

radius of 0.5 mm and 1.0 mm. 



Characteristics of Notched High Strength Materials under Tension, Torsion and Impact Loading 

69 

2 MATERIALS, EQUIPMENT AND SAMPLES PREPARATION 

2.1 Materials and Equipment 

The materials used in the study were high carbon steel (AISI 1065) and austenitic stainless steel (AISI 304), while the 

equipment employed in the work were spectrometer model AFS 200T, Testometric Universal Testing Machine (UTM) 

model FS-50AT and Avery-Denison Izod impact testing machine. 

 

2.2 Samples Preparation 

Samples were prepared from high carbon steel (AISI 1065) and austenitic stainless steel (AISI 304) materials. The 

chemical compositions of the high carbon steel and stainless steel materials used as shown in Tables 1 and 2 

respectively were determined using spectrometer model AFS 200T. 

The tensile test samples were prepared based on ASTM E8M-16 [23], with gauge length of 55 mm and radius of 

5 mm. The test was carried out on Testometric Universal Testing Machine (UTM) model FS-50AT with maximum 

load capacity of 50KN. According to ASTM F383-15 [24], the Torsion test was carried out on sample length of 144 

mm, gauge length of 36 mm and radius of 5 mm with the same notch parameters as that of Tensile test. 

The impact test according to ASTM E23-16b [25] was carried out on an Avery-Denison Izod impact testing 

machine. The samples were prepared with gauge length of 55mm, diameter of 10mm, and notch tip radii of 0.5 mm 

and 1.0 mm with notch angles of 30
o
, 45

o
 and 60

o
 on the two steel samples. A Peripheral 30

o
, 45

o
 and 60

o
 V-notch 

were in turn prepared at the center of gauge length of all the samples. The schematic of the impact test sample is 

shown in Figure 1. 

 

Table 1: Chemical composition of the high carbon steel (AISI 1065). 

C Si Mn S P Cr Mo Ni Cu Fe 

0.652 0.77 0.732 0.043 0.31 0.071 0.052 0.139 0.053 Balance 

 

Table 2: Chemical composition of the stainless (AISI 304) steel. 

Cr Ni Mn Si C P S Fe 

18.21 8.35 1.31 0.53 0.06 0.075 0.019 Balance 

 

2.3 Notching of Materials 

Samples for the two materials (AISI 1065 and AISI 304 stainless steel) were prepared for Izod impact test with circular 

cross-section and contains 30
o
, 45

o
 and 60

o
 V-notch, 2 mm deep with a 0.5 mm and 1.0 mm root radius for each 

sample (Fig. 1). The samples were supported as overhanging vertical beam and loaded in the front of the notch using 

swinging pendulum. 

 

2.4 Tensile Test Sample 

Computerized tensile testing machine was used for this experiment. The samples in accordance to ASTM [23], were 

prepared according to ASTM standards (Fig. 2). Tensile force was applied until the sample reached its failure point. 

The stress-strain relationship parameters for each of the sample were obtained and recorded. 

 

2.5 Torsion Test 

The samples were gripped onto the torsion testing machine using hexagonal sockets and was firmly mounted. Both 

ends of the sample were fitted to input and torque shafts and reading on the torque meter was set to zero. Twisting 

the sample at strain increment of 0.5 was made until failure occurs. Average of three readings were taken for the 

torsion tests carried out on Testometric Universal Testing Machine (TUTM, model: FS-50AT). 

 

2.6 Impact Test 

Izod impact testing machine (Model: 067/05-U-33122) was used for the test. The arm of the machine was allowed 

to swing freely to ensure freedom of movement of the striker. Each sample was clamped to the anvil and rigidly 

tightened by lever at the base of the machine. The pointer was set to zero-energy position and the striker released 

from a fixed height throughout the procedure. The average of the three energy values absorbed by each sample as 

indicated by the loose registering pointer on scale were record. 

 

Figure 1: Schematic of notched sample 



Abdulkareem et al. (2020): International Journal of Engineering Materials and Manufacture, 5(3), 68-75 

70 

 

Figure 2: Sample for the tensile test. 

 

3 RESULTS AND DISCUSSION 

T3.1 Tensile Test Result for the AISI 1065 Steel (HCS) 

The result of the tensile test for the HCS is shown in Table 3. The recorded values of yield strength and ultimate 

tensile strength for the three notch angles (30
o
, 45

o
 and 60

o
) is higher for 0.5 mm notch radius than the values 

obtained for 1.0 mm notch radius. This observation is not unconnected to the reduction in effective area that come 

to play at the point of loading during the application of force. 

The result of the UTS for the HCS (Table 3) follows the same trend with the result obtained for the yield strength, 

with the highest ultimate tensile strength of 1622.107 N/mm2 recorded for 0.5 mm notch radius placed at 45
o
 on 

the sample. The next to this is 1569.471 N/mm2 UTS values recorded for notch tip radius of 1 mm at 45
o
. On the 

other hand, the results of the percentage elongation (Table 3) for the 1.0 mm notch radius is higher than that obtained 

for 0.5 mm notch radius for all the three angles (30°, 45° and 60°) used in the work. 

The highest elongation of 8.167% was recorded for notch radius of 1.0 mm placed at 45
o
. It is expected that the 

highest elongation will result in highest UTS values in the sample, since the highest value of elongation would subject 

the material to experience more (high) tensile strength before crack initiation which will eventually lead to fracture 

could occur in the material. However, the occurrence of 1622.107 N/mm2 values of UTS at 45o could be as a result 

of presence of high stress raiser at base of at 45o angle. The plots of stress versus strain at 45o with 0.5 and 1.0 mm 

radius that give the highest yield and ultimate tensile strength are shown in Figure. 3. 

It can be observed from Fig. 3 that the HCS display less ductility as compare to the stainless steel because of the 

presence of high percentage carbon content. The effect of the carbon contents in HCS could have a significant impact 

in the fracture of the materials since high carbon contents increases the hardness of the material which may likely 

make the material stronger thereby resulting in high ultimate tensile strength. It was noticed that failure of the sample 

occurs at the notched point due to tensile loading, this occur because of higher stress concentration at the notched 

point. 

 

Table 3: Tensile test result for AISI 1065 steel (HCS) 

 30
o
 45

o
 60

o
 

 0.5 mm 1.0 mm 0.5mm 1.0 mm 0.5 mm 1.0 mm 

Yield strength (N/mm
2
) 1150.321 1035.677 1522.107 1469.471 1253.784 1143.064 

UTS (N/mm
2
) 1250.474 1182.381 1622.107 1569.471 1353.784 1243.064 

Elongation (%) 5.441 5.936 7.013 8.167 5.100 6.282 

 

 

(a) 

 

(b) 

Figure 3: Stress against strain of HCS at 45° notch angle and (a) 0.5 mm, (b) 1.0 mm tip radius 



Characteristics of Notched High Strength Materials under Tension, Torsion and Impact Loading 

71 

3.2 Tensile Test Result for the AISI 304 (Stainless Steel) 

Table 4 shows the Tensile result for stainless steel (AISI 304) samples. The highest yield strength of 1788.293 N/mm2 

was recorded with notch radius of 1.0 mm placed at 60
o
 on the sample, while the corresponding highest ultimate 

tensile strength of 2028.525 N/mm2 was recorded with the same notch parameter. Contrary to the results of tensile 

test and ultimate tensile strength obtained for the HCS (Table 4), the results of yield strength and ultimate tensile 

strength recorded for stainless steel (AISI 304) is higher for 1.0 mm notch radius than the values obtained for 0.5 mm 

notch radius for the three notch angles of 30
o
, 45

o
 and 60

o
. The highest percentage elongation of 7.702 % was 

recorded at 60
o
 notch angle with 1.0 mm radius. The behaviour of stainless steel at elevated temperature (strain 

hardening in this case) whereby the steel resist loading action resulting in higher elongation before fracture. 

Furthermore, the 60
o
 and 1.0 mm notch parameters which give high notch angles and tips radius have the high 

absorption energy due to the fact that the sample has more area at the root tip which is likely not be easy for crack 

to be initiated and when eventually it is initiated, the crack will cover a large area before the material is fracture, 

hence results in higher absorbed energy. The plots of stress against strain at 60
o
 notch angle with 0.5 and 1.0 mm 

radii that give the highest ultimate tensile strength are shown in Figure 4, it can be observed from Figure. 4 that the 

stainless steel (AISI 304) sample display better ductility property before fracture as against the HCS sample. 

 

Table 4: Tensile test result for AISI 304 steel (Stainless Steel) 

 30
o
 45

o
 60

o
 

 0.5 mm 1.0 mm 0.5 mm 1.0 mm 0.5 mm 1.0 mm 

Yield strength 

(N/mm
2
) 

1450.121 1697.129 1567.259 1741.947 1486.281 1788.293 

UTS (N/mm
2
) 1690.353 1937.361 1807.491 1982.179 1726.513 2028.525 

Elongation (%) 5.158 6.017 7.417 7.567 6.536 7.702 

 

 

(a) 

 

(b) 

Figure 4: Stress against strain for Stainless Steel at 60° notch angle and (a) 0.5 mm, (b) 1.0 notch tip radius 

 

3.3 Torsion Test 

The results of the torsion tests for the samples of AISI 1065 and AISI 304 steels are shown in Figures 5 and 6. It can 

be observed (Figures 5 and 6) that the effect of notch radius does not have a significant difference as the values 

obtained for the 0.5 and 1.0 mm radii are very close for the two materials. The torsion results for the two materials 

show that as notch angle increase with notch tip radius, the higher the torque required to twist the steels. The larger 

the notch angle and tip radius, the higher the torque that is required to twist the steel, this simply means that lower 

notch tips radius and smaller notch angle will have low resistance to twisting forces due to the fact that the sample 

has smaller area at the root tip which makes it easier for the crack to be initiated unlike that of larger tip radius and 

larger notch angle where the crack initiation has larger area to contend with, before it can be initiated hence results 

to more resistance to twisting. 



Abdulkareem et al. (2020): International Journal of Engineering Materials and Manufacture, 5(3), 68-75 

72 

 

(a) HCS at 30° notch angle, 0.5 mm and 1.0 mm notch radius 

 

 

(b) HCS at 45° notch angle, 0.5 mm and 1.0 mm notch radius 

 

 

 

(c) HCS at 60° notch angle, 0.5 mm and 1.0 mm notch radius 

 

Figure 5: Effect of notch parameters on AISI 1065 steel (HCS) 



Characteristics of Notched High Strength Materials under Tension, Torsion and Impact Loading 

73 

 

 

(a) Stainless steel at 30° notch angle, 0.5 mm and 1.0 mm notch radius 

 

 

 

(b) Stainless steel at 45° notch angle, 0.5 mm and 1.0 mm notch radius 

 

 

 

(c) Stainless steel at 60° notch angle, 0.5 mm and 1.0 mm notch radius 

 

Figure 6: Effect of notch parameters on AISI 302 steel (Stainless steel) 

3.4 Impact Test 

Tables 5 to 7 show the results of impact tests for the high carbon steel (HCS) and stainless steel (SS) workpiece 

samples. It can be observed from the tables (Tables 5 to 7) that the absorbed energy of the materials increase with 

increase in notch radius and notch angles for the two steels. It was also noticed that failure of the samples occurs at 

the notched point due to the impact loading, this occurs because of higher stress concentration at the notched point. 

Further observation in Table 5-7 shows that lower notch tips radius and smaller angles have the lowest absorption 

energy. This happens because the sample has smaller area at the root tip which makes it easier for crack to be initiated 

unlike that of larger tip radius and larger notch angle which the crack initiation has larger area to cover before it can 



Abdulkareem et al. (2020): International Journal of Engineering Materials and Manufacture, 5(3), 68-75 

74 

be initiated hence resulting in higher absorbed energy. Carbon contents with respect to the AISI 1065 steel also plays 

a major role in the failure of the material because higher carbon contents is likely to increase the hardness of the 

material which make the material stronger and to absorbed more energy before failure. 

 

 

Table 5: Absorption Energy at notch angle of 30° 

Notch tip radius (mm) 
Absorption Energy (Joules) 

AISI 1065                       AISI 304 

0.5 128 114 

1.0 162 119 

 

Table 6: Absorption Energy at notch angle of 45° 

Notch tip radius (mm) 
Absorption Energy (Joules) 

AISI 1065                      AISI 304 

0.5 162 122 

1.0 170 128 

 

Table 7: Absorption Energy at notch angle of 60° 

Notch tip radius (mm) 
Absorption Energy (Joules) 

AISI 1065                              AISI 304 

0.5 173 128 

1.0 178 132 

 

 

4 CONCLUSIONS 

Investigation on the characteristics of notched AISI 1065 and AISI 304 steels with respect to tension, torsion and 

impact loading has been carried out, and based upon the findings from the experimental work the following 

conclusions can be drawn: 

 

1. High notch tip radius of the samples improves the absorption energy of the steel samples. 

2. Steel samples with bigger notch angle tend to have higher absorption energy under sudden load. 

3. As the notch tip radius increases the sample show more resistance to twisting thus requiring more torque for 

twist to occur. 

4. A high notch tip radius leads to higher ultimate tensile strength of the material before failure will occur. 

 

 

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT  

The authors would like to appreciate the following staff of the University of Ilorin for their assistance during the 

study. Mr. M. Ndagi of the department of Mechanical Engineering and Mr. Ibrahim Lateef, Central Workshop of the 

Faculty of Engineering. 

 

 

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