The effect of excimer laser surface treatment on the pitting corrosion fatigue behaviour of aluminium alloy 7075

An excimer laser (KrF) operating at a wavelength of 248 nm was used to modify the surface microstructure of 7075-T651 aluminium alloy. The aim was to improve both the corrosion resistance and the pitting corrosion fatigue resistance of the alloy by means of laser surface melting (LSM). The microstructure and the phases of the modified surface structure were analysed, and the corrosion behaviour of the untreated and the laser-treated specimens were evaluated by immersion test. The fatigue resistance of the 7075 alloy has been presented in the form of S/N curves.A microscopical examination and the transmission electron microscopy (TEM) study revealed that LSM caused a reduction both in number and size of constituent particles and a refinement of the grain structure within the laser melted zone. As a result, the corrosion resistance of the aluminium alloy was improved. There was a significant reduction in the number of corrosion pits and shallow attack occurred. The fatigue test results showed that under dry fatigue conditions, the total fatigue life of the laser treated specimens, in which the crack initiation period is of considerable significance, was lower than that of the untreated specimens. However, after shot peening, the fatigue life of the laser treated specimens was recovered. This was primarily attributed to the elimination of surface defects, but also be in part, due to the introduction of compressive residual stresses in the surface layer of the specimen. The fatigue resistance of the shot peened laser-treated specimens, tested in 3.5 wt% NaCl solution with 48 hrs prior immersion, was greater than the untreated specimens with an increase of two orders of magnitude in fatigue life. This was primarily due to the elimination of surface defects and the reduction of corrosion pits.     

Evaluation of stress corrosion resistance and corrosion fatigue fracture behavior of ultra-high-strength P/M Al–Zn–Mg alloy

Quasi-static tensile tests in air and slow strain rate tests (SSRTs) in a 3.5% NaCl solution were conducted in an ultra-high-strength P/M Al–Zn–Mg alloy fabricated through powder metallurgy. Attention is also paid to fatigue strength and fatigue crack growth behavior in laboratory air and in a 3.5% NaCl solution. The alloy has extremely high strength of about 800 MPa. However, elongation at break remains small, at about 1.3%. The final fracture occurs by a macroscopically flat crack normal to the tensile axis, with little reduction in area and little shear lip on the periphery of a smooth sample. However, it fails microscopically in a ductile manner, with dimples. Dimple size is less than 1 μm, because the grain size of the alloy is extremely small. Strengthening mechanisms operating in the alloy are: small grains, sufficient metastable η′ phase in a matrix, and intermetallic compound acting as a fiber reinforcement. The SSRT strength in a 3.5% NaCl solution decreases slightly at a very low strain rate, that is smaller than those observed in aluminum alloys sensitive to stress corrosion. This means that the crack initiation resistance to stress corrosion is superior. However, under cyclic loading, the corrosion fatigue strength becomes lower than that conducted in air, because pitting corrosion on a sample surface acts as a stress concentrator. Crack initiation site of quasi-static and fatigue failure of the alloy is at inclusions, and hence, it is essential to decrease inclusions in the alloy for the improvement of the mechanical properties. Fatigue crack resistance of the alloy is inferior to conventional Al–Zn–Mg alloys fabricated by ingot metallurgy, because the fatigue fracture toughness, or ductility, of the alloy is inferior to other Al alloys, and intergranular cracking promotes crack growth. However, no influence of 3.5% NaCl solution on corrosion fatigue crack growth is observed, although an investigation is required into whether stress corrosion crack growth occurs or not, and at the same time, and of corrosion fatigue crack growth behavior at lower stress intensity. The fracture surface and crack initiation sites are closely examined using a high-resolution field emission type scanning electron microscope, and the fracture mechanisms of the alloy are discussed.     

Effects of temper condition and corrosion on the fatigue performance of a laser-welded Al–Cu–Mg–Ag (2139) alloy

The effects of temper condition and corrosion on the fatigue behavior of a laser beam welded Al–Cu–Mg–Ag alloy (2139) have been investigated. Natural aging (T3 temper) and artificial aging (T8 temper) have been applied prior to welding. Corrosion testing has been performed by exposing the welded specimens to a salt spray medium for 720 h. Aging influences the corrosion behavior of laser welds. In the T3 temper, corrosion attack is in the form of pitting in the weld area, while in the T8 temper corrosion is in the form of pitting and intergranular corrosion in the base metal. In the latter case corrosion is attributed to the presence of grain boundary precipitates. Corrosion degrades the fatigue behavior of 2139 welds. The degradation is equal for both the T3 and T8 tempers and for the corrosion exposure selected in this study corresponds to a 52% reduction in fatigue limit. In both cases fatigue crack initiation is associated with corrosion pits, which act as stress raisers. In the T3 temper, the fatigue crack initiation site is at the weld metal/heat affected zone interface, while for the T8 temper the initiation site is at the base metal. Fatigue crack initiation in uncorroded 2139 welds occurs at the weld toe at the root side, the weld reinforcement playing a principal role as stress concentration site. The fatigue crack propagates through the partially melted zone and the weld metal in all cases. The findings in this paper present useful information for the selection of appropriate heat treatment conditions, to facilitate control of the corrosion behavior in aluminium welds, which is of great significance for their fatigue performance.     

Fatigue behaviour of bare and pre-corroded magnesium alloy AZ31

Constant amplitude fatigue tests have been performed using smooth specimens of a rolled AZ31 magnesium alloy in order to assess the fatigue behaviour of the material. The tests were periodically interrupted and replicas were taken from the surface of the specimens in order to reveal crack initiation and early crack propagation. Based on the derived S–N curve a very high stress sensitivity of the fatigue life can be concluded; it may be attributed to the inability of the material to accumulate fatigue damage in terms of cyclic plasticity at the early stage of fatigue. Fatigue cracks initiate already after few fatigue cycles between strain incompatibility points (e.g. grain boundaries) due to difficulties in satisfying the von Mises criterion. The initiation and propagation mechanisms of the fatigue cracks are characterized as cleavage. Furthermore, the corrosion susceptibility of the material has been investigated in a salt spray environment. It becomes evident that the presence of corrosion damage, in terms of corrosion pitting, results in the development of stress concentration, facilitating essentially the initiation and propagation of fatigue cracks. Thus, the fatigue limit is reduced to 50% of the respective value of the un-corroded material.     

Pitting corrosion resistance of laser surface alloyed 304 stainless steel

Abstract

The pitting corrosion resistance of AISI 304 stainless steel (SS), which was laser melted in both nitrogen and argon atmosphere, was studied using the potentiodynamic anodic polarisation method. An attempt was made to introduce nitrogen onto the surface layers by melting in nitrogen atmosphere and argon atmosphere using a continuous wave CO₂ laser as the heat source at a power output of 3·06 kW at the laser head. The pitting corrosion resistance was determined by measuring the critical pitting potential during anodic polarisation. Secondary ion mass spectrometry (SIMS) was carried out on the laser melted surface to characterise the chemical composition. It was found that the pitting corrosion resistance of 304 SS was improved when laser surface melting was carried out in argon and was improved further when melting was carried out in nitrogen atmosphere. However, the improvement in pitting corrosion resistance in laser melted material was observed only in the reabraded condition and the pitting corrosion resistance in the as melted condition was lower than for the unmelted 304 SS. The improvement in localised corrosion behaviour was attributed to the increase of nitrogen content which was incorporated onto the surface layer during laser surface melting and this was confirmed using SIMS.

MST/1530     

The influence of salt fog exposure on the fatigue performance of Alclad 6xxx aluminum alloys laser beam welded joints

Laser welding is increasingly used for the fabrication of lightweight and cost-effective integral stiffened panels in modern civil aircraft. As these structures age in service, the issue of the effect of corrosion on their damage tolerance requires attention. In this work, laboratory data on the influence of salt fog corrosion on the fatigue behavior of cladded 6156 T4 aluminum alloy laser welded specimens are presented. The experimental investigation was performed on 6156 T4 laser butt welded sheets. Prior to fatigue testing the welded joints were exposed to laboratory salt fog corrosion exposure for 720 h. The results showed that the clad layer offers sufficient corrosion protection both on base metal and the weld. Fatigue testing was followed by standard metallographic analysis in order to identify fatigue crack initiation sites. Crack initiation is located in all welded samples near the weld reinforcement which induces a significant stress concentration. Localized corrosion attack of the clad layer, in the form of pitting corrosion, creates an additional stress concentration which accelerates crack initiation leading to shorter fatigue life relative to the uncorroded samples. The potency of small corrosion pits to act as stress concentration sites has been assessed analytically. The above results indicate that despite the general corrosion protection offered by the clad layer, the localized attack described above leads to inferior fatigue performance, a fact that should be taken under consideration in the design and maintenance of these structures.     

特种设备用双相不锈钢抗点蚀性能研究

点蚀是不锈钢最有害的腐蚀形态之一,点蚀往往是应力腐蚀裂纹和腐蚀疲劳裂纹的起始部位。点蚀是一种腐蚀集中于表面的很小范围内,并深入到金属内部的腐蚀形态,一般形状为小孔状,其危害性比均匀腐蚀严重得多,会引起爆炸、火灾等事故。双相不锈钢兼有铁素体和奥氏体的特性,它将铁素体良好的强度、硬度和奥氏体优良的塑性和韧性结合起来,并具有优良的耐点蚀性能,无论是在力学性能上还是在耐腐蚀性上,双相不锈钢都明显优于铁素体不锈钢和奥氏体不锈钢,可以在点蚀环境中的特种设备上广泛使用。     

CORROSION FATIGUE FRACTURE BEHAVIOUR OF A SiC WHISKERALUMINIUM MATRIX COMPOSITE UNDER COMBINED TENSIONTORSION LOADING

We describe an investigation into the fatigue fracture behaviour under combined tension–torsion loading of a SiC whisker-reinforced A6061 aluminium alloy fabricated by a squeeze casting process. Special attention was paid to the environmental effects on fatigue fracture behaviour. Tests were conducted on both the composite and its unreinforced matrix material, A6061-T6, under load-controlled conditions with a constant value of the combined stress ratio, α = τ_max /σ_max in laboratory air or in a 3.5% NaCl solution at the free corrosion potential. The corrosion fatigue strength of both the matrix and composite was less in the solution than in air. The dominating mechanical factor that determined the fatigue strength in air was either the maximum principal stress or the von Mises-type equivalent stress, depending on the combined stress ratio. However, in the 3.5% NaCl solution, the corrosion fatigue strength of both materials was determined by the maximum principal stress, irrespective of the combined stress ratio. In the case of the matrix material, crack initiation occurred by a brittle facet normal to the principal stress due to hydrogen embrittlement. However, in the composite material, the crack was initiated not at the brittle facet, but at a corrosion pit formed on the specimen surface. At the bottom of the pit, a crack normal to the principal stress was nucleated and propagated, resulting in final failure. Pitting corrosion was nucleated at an early stage of fatigue life, i.e. about 1% of total fatigue life. However, crack initiation at the bottom of a pit was close to the terminal stage, i.e. about 70% or more of total fatigue life. The dominating factor which determined crack initiation at a pit was the Mode I stress intensity factor obtained by assuming the pit to be a sharp crack. Initiation and propagation due to pitting corrosion and crack growth were closely examined, and the fatigue fracture mechanisms and influence of the 3.5% NaCl solution on fatigue strength of the composite and matrix under combined tension–torsion loading were examined in detail.     

Influence of microstructure on the crack propagation and corrosion resistance of Al–Zn–Mg–Cu alloy 7150

This paper described the effect of the grain structure on the initiation and propagation of fatigue crack and exfoliation corrosion in the 7150-T6 alloy. The 7150-T6 alloy extrusions exhibited different grain structure from the surface to the midsection. The regions close to the surface had smaller grain size and exhibited better resistance to initiation and propagation of fatigue crack. Exfoliation developed rapidly in the midsection of the extrusion as a result of the coarse elongated grains. On the surface of extrusion, no exfoliation corrosion occurred. The crack initiation and propagation and severity of exfoliation were shown to be related to the grain size and shape of the material.     

SURFACE ALLOYING OF MILD STEEL BY LASER MELTING OF AN ELECTROLESS NICKEL DEPOSIT CONTAINING CHROMIUM CARBIDES

It is possible to realize surface alloys by laser melting an electroless nickel layer containing chromium carbide particles predeposited on a mild steel substrate. By this way the surface alloy is expected to have not only a high nickel content but also an important chromium content in order to improve the corrosion resistance. The presence of chromium in solid solution results from the dissolution or melting of the carbide particles. Typical laser solidification microstructures are obtained. Dendrites consist of an austenitic Fe-Ni-Cr solid solution and interdendritic regions are constituted by an eutectic mixture containing the same austenitic solid solution and complex Fe, Ni, Cr carbides and phosphides. In comparison with a surface alloy obtained by laser melting of an electroless nickel layer without carbide particles, the corrosion resistance was slightly improved in saline aqueous solutions. The limited effect was due to the fact that the final chromium content in the present experimental conditions was not as high as that initially expected.     

Comparison of the simulation and experimental fatigue crack behaviors in the nanoseconds laser shocked aluminum alloy

This investigation was performed to compare the simulation and experimental results of the fatigue crack growth rates and behaviors of the 7050-T7451 aluminum alloy by nanoseconds laser shock processing (LSP). Forman–Newman–deKoning (FNK) model embedded in the Franc2D/L software was utilized to predict fatigue crack growth rate, which was conducted to weigh the stress intensity factor (SIF) changing on the surface cracks. LSP induced high compressive residual stresses that served to enhance fatigue properties by improving the resistance against fatigue crack initiation and propagation. The circulating times of crack growth obtained from the simulation and experimental values indicated a slower fatigue crack growth rates after LSP. The relationships between the elastic–plastic materials crack growth rates and the SIF changing after LSP are resolved.     

某大桥钢轨断裂原因分析

某大桥钢轨发生横向断裂。经对钢轨断口的宏观分析、显微组织观察、电子显微镜的微观分析和能谱的微区成分测定。结果表明，在轨底面中部的横截面上有一半径约7mm半圆形的疲劳裂纹区，疲劳裂纹起源于轨底面的小凹坑处，产生原因是钢轨在潮湿环境中受腐蚀而形成。在车轮应力的重复作用下，疲劳裂纹扩展而导致钢轨断裂。     

Corrosion fatigue behaviour and microstructural characterisation of G20Mn5QT cast steel in 3.5‐wt% NaCl solution

Corrosion fatigue behaviour and microstructural characterisation of G20Mn5QT cast steel are investigated in simulated seawater. Fractography is performed by using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The macroscale fracture surface and microstructure of the failed specimen are acquired including the crack initiation, crack propagation, and pitting evolution. The maximum cyclic stress (S) versus number of cycles to failure (N) curves is derived by three‐parameter fatigue curve method. Fatigue life is predominantly controlled by the corrosion pitting‐induced crack initiation when tested in simulated seawater at lower stress levels. As the maximum cyclic stress is less than 185 MPa, the chloride ion erosion is the main influence factor, which affects the fatigue failure of the G20Mn5QT cast steel in simulated seawater.     

AF1410与300M钢的腐蚀冲击疲劳行为

根据舰载飞机起落的服务条件提出了腐蚀冲击概念和试验方法，考察了两种起落架材料在盐水中的腐蚀冲击疲劳行为，包括冲击疲劳寿命，裂纹萌生与扩展速率。尽管两种材料在空气中的冲击疲劳寿命几乎相等。但300M钢在盐水中的冲击疲劳寿命下降幅度较大。在盐水介质中，氢脆加速300M钢冲击疲劳裂纹的萌生和扩展。局部塑性变形区优先腐蚀促使AF1410钢的裂纹萌生，盐水对AF1410钢的裂纹扩展速率没有影响。     

Assessment of the dynamics of corrosion fatigue crack initiation applying recurrence plots to the analysis of electrochemical noise data

Electrochemical current oscillations generated during the early stages of corrosion fatigue damage (CFD) were analysed applying recurrence plots. “This novel analysis tool allowed us to assess changes in the dynamics of the CFD process, differentiating pure electrochemical process like of pitting corrosion (PC) from the corrosion fatigue crack formation and initial growth”. The dynamics of CFD initiation was characterized by determining changes in the selected recurrence quantification analysis (RQA) parameter: the percentage of determinism (%D). A significant contribution of this work is that it was possible to separate through changes in %D as a function of the number of cycles (N), the electrochemical process of pitting corrosion from the corrosion fatigue crack initiation and growth, which has a random nature and involved low values of %D of around 5%. A subsequent augment of the %D to values from 75% to 95% with the increase of N could be related to the short fatigue crack arrest. The increment of %D indicates that the electrochemical pitting corrosion process was the predominant contribution to the current oscillations.     

Influence of anodization on the fatigue strength of 7050-T7451 aluminium alloy

In recent years, with higher demand for improved quality and corrosion resistance, recovered substrates have been extensively used. Consequently residual stresses originated from these coatings reduce the fatigue strength of a component. Due to this negative influence occasioned by corrosion resistance protective coatings, an effective process like shot peening must be considered to improve the fatigue strength. The shot peening treatment pushes the crack sources beneath the surface in most of medium and high cycle cases due to the compressive residual stress field (CRSF) induced. The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence on the fatigue life of anodic films grown on 7050-T7451 aluminium alloy by sulphuric acid anodizing, chromic acid anodizing and hard anodizing. The influence on the rotating and reverse bending fatigue strength of anodic films grown on the aluminium alloy is to degrade the stress life fatigue performance of the base material. A consistent gain in fatigue life in relation to the base material was obtained through the shot peening process in coated specimens, associated to a residual stress field compressive near the surface, useful to avoid fatigue crack nucleation and delay or even stop crack propagation.     

Interactions of different types of localized corrosion in surgical implants

Surgical implants often show different types of localized corrosion such as corrosion fatigue cracking, pitting and crevice corrosion on the same part. Interactions of these different corrosion phenomena were investigated. This was done by cyclic loading of electropolished tensile specimens at different constant and changing potentials. Material investigated was a surgical implant steel X2CrNiMo18-15-3 which was immersed in physiological NaCl solution. Pitting and repassivation potentials were determined. Samples with and without artificial cracks as well as masked specimens were tested. Incubation period for first damage, density and size of pits by coulometric and volumetric method were determined. The fracture surfaces were then investigated by SEM. Results show that not in all cases pitting corrosion was the cause for corrosion fatigue cracking. Also pitting is favoured by crack formation. Density of pits increases by a factor of 5 without any change to pitting potential. There are primary pits formed prior to crack initiation and secondary pits formed after crack initiation. At samples without crack there is almost no difference between the optically measured value of total pit volume and the coulometrically determined value. At samples with cracks coulometric volume of pits is much larger than optical one. This proves that there is a significant amount of crevice corrosion in the crack. The corrosion current density in the crack increases by two orders of magnitude when comparing it to electropolished surface of the sample. Results of laboratory experiments are confirmed by failure of a real implant.     

Laser shock peening on fatigue crack growth behaviour of aluminium alloy

The effect of laser shock peening (LPS) in the fatigue crack growth behaviour of a 2024‐T3 aluminium alloy with various notch geometries was investigated. LPS was performed under a ‘confined ablation mode’ using an Nd: glass laser at a laser power density of 5 GW cm^?2. A black paint coating layer and water layer was used as a sacrificial and plasma confinement layer, respectively. The shock wave propagates into the material, causing the surface layer to deform plastically, and thereby, develop a residual compressive stress at the surface. The residual compressive stress as a function of depth was measured by X‐ray diffraction technique. The fatigue crack initiation life and fatigue crack growth rates of an Al alloy with different preexisting notch configurations were characterized and compared with those of the unpeened material. The results clearly show that LSP is an effective surface treatment technique for suppressing the fatigue crack growth of Al alloys with various preexisting notch configurations.     

Effect of ultrasonic nanocrystal surface modification on the characteristics of AISI 310 stainless steel up to very high cycle fatigue

Effects of ultrasonic nanocrystal surface modification (UNSM) on the very high cycle fatigue response of AISI 310 stainless steel have been investigated. The higher impact force used in UNSM treatment showed a higher fatigue life improvement. The fatigue life improvement was higher in crack initiation from the surface of specimens. The subsurface crack initiation depth in the alloy increased with increase in the fatigue failure cycles. It was concluded that UNSM treatment can increase the life of the alloy significantly up to very high cycle fatigue.     

医用钴合金表面改性技术的研究进展

钴合金具有优异的生物力学特性、耐磨损性能和耐腐蚀性能,在医学植入领域有着广阔的应用前景,其表面改性技术已成为医用金属材料的研究热点和重点。本文简述了钴合金材料表面改性技术的优势,包括钴合金材料的生物力学特性、耐磨性能、耐腐蚀性能等。同时归纳了钴合金材料因人体体液腐蚀和摩擦磨损会释放出Co、Cr等金属离子而导致生物致敏等问题。在上述基础上,重点综述了近年来钴合金表面改性技术的研究进展,包括离子注入技术、选区激光熔化技术、真空沉积技术。其中,离子注入技术主要包括氮离子注入、钇离子注入、镧离子注入和钛镍离子注入等;选区激光熔化技术主要包括粉层厚度、激光功率、组分含量、扫描方式和扫描速度等;真空沉积技术主要包括物理气相沉积和化学气相沉积。针对不同钴合金表面改性技术,分别从钴合金材料的生物力学特性、耐磨性、耐腐蚀性和生物相容性等方面进行了归纳分析。最后分析了钴合金表面改性的发展趋势,认为钴合金表面改性技术应朝着高生物相容性、无金属离子释放、生物功能化、高耐腐蚀性和高耐磨性的方向发展。