Investigation of small fatigue crack initiation and growth behaviour of nickel base superalloy GH4169

Surface replication method was utilized to monitor the small fatigue crack initiation and growth process of single‐edge‐notch tension specimens fabricated by nickel base superalloy GH4169. Three different stress levels were selected. Results showed that small fatigue cracks of nickel base superalloy GH4169 initiated from grain boundaries or surface inclusions. The small fatigue crack initiation and growth stages took up about 80–90% of the total fatigue life. Multiple major cracks were observed in the notch root, and specimen with more major cracks seemed to have smaller fatigue life under the same test conditions. At the early growth stage, small crack behaviour might be strongly influenced by microstructures; thus, the crack growth rates had high fluctuations. However, the stress level effect on the small fatigue crack growth rates was not distinguishable for the three different stress levels. And no clear differences were found among the crack initiation lives by using replication technique.     

Influence of residual stresses from shot peening on fretting fatigue crack growth

One method to improve fretting fatigue life is to shot peen the contact surfaces. Experimental fretting life results from specimens in a Titanium alloy with and without shot peened surfaces were evaluated numerically. The residual stresses were measured at different depths below the fretting scar and compared to the corresponding residual stress profile of an unfretted surface. Thus, the amount of stress relaxation during fretting tests was estimated. Elastic–plastic finite element computations showed that stress relaxation was locally more significant than that captured in the measurements. Three different numerical fatigue crack growth models were compared. The best agreement between experimental and numerical fatigue lives for both peened and unpeened specimens was achieved with a parametric fatigue growth procedure that took into consideration the growth behaviour along the whole front of a semi‐elliptical surface crack. Furthermore, the improved fretting fatigue life from shot peening was explained by slower crack growth rates in the shallow surface layer with compressive residual stresses from shot peening. The successful life analyses hinged on three important issues: an accurate residual stress profile, a sufficiently small start crack and a valid crack growth model.     

Circumferential inner fatigue crack growth and penetration behaviour in pipe subjected to a bending moment

Surface defects in most pipe components under cyclic stress tend to be origins of fatigue crack growth, which may cause serious failure of the whole structure. An analysis of crack growth and penetration behaviour from these defects may therefore be one of the most important subjects on the reliability of the LBB (leak before break) design philosophy. However, studies on fatigue crack growth and COD (crack opening displacement) behaviour in a complex through-wall crack are relatively rare. To that purpose, a series of fatigue tests has been carried out at room temperature on carbon steel pipe which has an inner surface crack. Before crack penetration, leak-life, fatigue crack growth behaviour, e.g. aspect ratios and d a /d N versus Δ K were evaluated successfully by using a proposed plate model. After crack penetration, a new formula to evaluate K is proposed. For the complex crack created after through-wall penetration, fatigue life and fatigue crack growth behaviour were evaluated quantitatively by using the new formula and the model proposed in this study.     

Small fatigue crack growth behavior of titanium alloy TC4 at different stress ratios

In this paper, the small fatigue crack behavior of titanium alloy TC4 at different stress ratios was investigated. Single‐edge‐notch tension specimens were fatigued axially under a nominal maximum stress of 370 MPa at room temperature. Results indicate that fatigue cracks in TC4 initiate from the interface between α and β phases or within α phase. More than 90% of the total fatigue life is consumed in the small crack initiation and growth stages. The crack growth process of TC4 can be divided into three typical stages, ie, microstructurally small crack stage, physically small crack stage, and long crack stage. Although the stress ratio has a significant effect on the total fatigue life and crack initiation life at constant σ_max, its effect on crack growth rate is indistinguishable at R = ?0.1, 0.1, and 0.3 when crack growth rate is plotted as a function of ?K.     

A multiparameter approach to the prediction of fatigue crack growth in metallic materials

A multiparameter approach is proposed for the characterization of fatigue crack growth in metallic materials. The model assesses the combined effects of identifiable multiple variables that can contribute to fatigue crack growth. Mathematical expressions are presented for the determination of fatigue crack growth rates, d a /d N , as functions of multiple variables, including stress intensity factor range, Δ K , stress ratio, R , crack closure stress intensity factor, K _cl , the maximum stress intensity factor K _max , nominal specimen thickness, t , frequency, Ω , and temperature, T . A generalized empirical methodology is proposed for the estimation of fatigue crack growth rates as a function of these variables. The validity of the methodology is then verified by making appropriate comparisons between predicted and measured fatigue crack growth data obtained from experiments on Ti–6Al–4V. The effects of stress ratio and specimen thickness on fatigue crack growth rates are then rationalized by crack closure considerations. The multiparameter model is also shown to provide a good fit to experimental data obtained for HY-80 steel, Inconel 718 polycrystal and Inconel 718 single crystal. Finally, the implications of the results are discussed for the prediction of fatigue crack growth and fatigue life.     

The fatigue crack growth of a ship steel in seawater under spectrum loading

Fatigue crack growth of ABS EH36 steel under spectrum loading intended to simulate sea loading of offshore structures in the North Sea was studied using fracture mechanics. A digital simulation technique was used to generate samples of load/time histories from a power spectrum characteristic of the North Sea environment. In constant load-amplitude tests, the effects of specimen orientation and stress ratio on fatigue crack growth rates were found to be negligible in the range 2 × 10^?5 to 10^?3 mm/cycle. Fatigue crack growth rates in a 3.5% NaCl solution were two to five times faster than those observed in air in the stress intensity range 25 to 60 MPa √m. The average fatigue crack growth rates under spectrum loading and constant-amplitude loading were in excellent agreement when the fatigue crack growth rate was plotted as a function of the appropriately defined equivalent stress intensity range. This procedure is equivalent to applying Miner's summation rule in fatigue life calculations.     

A modification of UniGrow 2‐parameter driving force model for short fatigue crack growth

In this paper, a modification of the UniGrow model is proposed to predict total fatigue life with the presence of a short fatigue crack by incorporating short crack propagation into the UniGrow crack growth model. The UniGrow model is modified by 2 different methods, namely the “short crack stress intensity correction method” and the “short crack data‐fitting method” to estimate the total fatigue life including both short and long fatigue crack propagations. Predicted fatigue lives obtained from these 2 methods were compared with experimental data sets of 2024‐T3, 7075‐T56 aluminium alloys, and Ti‐6Al‐4V titanium alloy. Two proposed methods have shown good fatigue life predictions at relatively high maximum stresses; however, they provide conservative fatigue life predictions at lower stresses corresponding high cycle fatigue lives where short crack behaviour dominates total fatigue life at lower stress levels.     

Fatigue crack initiation and growth in AlMg4.5Mn butt weldments

The fatigue life of full-penetration and partial-penetration 5 and 25  mm thickness AlMg4.5Mn (AA5083) aluminium alloy butt weldments was investigated under ( R = 0 and R = − 1) constant amplitude loading. The fatigue lives of the tested specimens were predicted using an analytical model which estimated both the crack initiation and crack growth portions of the total fatigue life. The fatigue life of partial-penetration weldments was found to be substantially less than that of full-penetration weldments because of the greater stress concentrations of the incomplete joint penetration and the consequent absence of a substantial crack-initiation life period. Tensile mean stresses ( R = 0 versus R = − 1-test conditions) markedly reduced the fatigue life of the weldments studied and greatly diminished the duration of the fatigue crack growth period. The extra material provided by the weld reinforcement noticeably increased the fatigue life of the partial-penetration weldments. Weld angular distortion-induced bending stresses greatly affected the smaller thickness (5  mm) full-penetration weldments offsetting the fatigue strength bonus anticipated for small-size weldments. Except for the predictions for R = − 1 full-penetration weldments at long life, which the analytical model underestimated, the agreement between experiment and analytical prediction was within a factor of 2, that is, as good as can be generally expected.     

低温环境下桥梁钢Q345qD疲劳裂纹扩展行为研究

为了明确在寒冷地区服役桥梁钢的疲劳裂纹扩展行为,以16 mm厚桥梁钢Q345qD为研究对象,完成了室温和低温下的夏比冲击韧性试验、疲劳裂纹扩展速率试验和疲劳裂纹扩展门槛值试验。结果表明,夏比冲击功和试样断口剪切断面率随温度的降低而减少;在应力比0.1、0.2和0.5条件下,疲劳裂纹扩展速率均随温度降低而变缓,该桥梁钢的疲劳韧-脆转变温度点在-60℃以下;在室温~-60℃,其裂纹扩展速率均对应力比的变化不敏感;应力比0.1条件下的疲劳裂纹扩展门槛值随温度的降低有略微增大的趋势。该批次桥梁钢表现出了良好的抵抗低温疲劳裂纹扩展性能,防止低温脆性破坏成为疲劳设计的重点;试验数据能为钢结构桥梁的进一步抗低温疲劳和防低温冷脆断裂设计提供参考。     

A numerical study on the effect of symmetric crack flank holes on fatigue life extension of a SENT specimen

The crack growth retardation is studied theoretically by drilling two symmetric holes at appropriate locations along the crack flanks. A fatigue crack growth code for two‐dimensional elastic problems is developed to approve the effectiveness of this method. The crack growth retardation was examined using a parametric study both on the arrangements of the flank holes and the diameters of holes. The numerical results reveal that for some cases, the presence of flank holes significantly decreases the stress concentration around the crack tip and its stress intensity factor. The best positions for crack flank holes to provide the highest crack growth retardation are shown to be where the line connecting the two centres of holes passes the crack tip. A larger hole diameter and a closer distance between the flank holes and the crack tip result in lower crack growth rate and higher fatigue life.     

桥梁高性能钢HPS485W疲劳裂纹扩展速率试验研究

以国产桥梁用高性能钢HPS485W为研究对象,对7.5mm、12.5mm和19.5mm的HPS485W紧凑拉伸试样分别在应力比R=0.1、R=0.5和R=0.8的疲劳荷载下进行疲劳裂纹扩展速率(da/dN)试验,采用七点递增多项式的方法进行局部拟合求得试样的疲劳裂纹扩展速率。与传统桥梁用钢14MnNb相比,该文试验测得高性能钢HPS485W具有更优越的忍受疲劳裂纹扩展能力。试验结果表明：试样厚度是影响疲劳裂纹扩展速率的关键因素;对同一厚度的试样,疲劳裂纹扩展速率随着应力比R的增大而增大。此外,对19.5mm试样在荷载比R=0.1的情况下,进行工程门槛值的试验测定和理论门槛值的数值求解,分析求得19.5mm的HPS485W的理论门槛值为7.22MPa·m^1/2。该文试验得到的HPS485W疲劳裂纹扩展曲线,可用于高性能钢桥的抗疲劳、防断裂设计与寿命预测。     

带中心孔的钛合金扩散连接层合板裂纹扩展特性

为了研究含孔TC4钛合金扩散连接层合板的裂纹扩展行为,进行了含ϕ6中心孔的8mm厚单层板材、三层(3+2+3)扩散连接层合板和三层(3+2+3)含ϕ12止焊区扩散连接层合板的疲劳对比试验,试验中施加标识载荷,通过断口判读裂纹形态和尺寸,得到裂纹扩展(a,N)数据,建立了裂纹扩展da/dN-a曲线,对单层板、层合板和止焊层合板的裂纹扩展行为和规律进行了对比。结果表明：单层板出现规则的半椭圆形孔壁裂纹;层合板由于存在层合界面的影响,出现不规则的半椭圆孔壁裂纹;而止焊层合板以角裂纹为主,裂纹扩展过程分为三阶段;三类试件的da/dN-a曲线可用双对数线性关系描述;三层板的裂纹扩展特性不弱于单层板;止焊层合板的裂纹扩展性能有明显改善,提高了含孔层板的损伤容限特性。     

Investigation on the fatigue crack behavior of Zr702/TA2/Q345R composite plate with a crack normal to interface

In this paper, the effects of maximum load, load ratio, and average load on fatigue crack propagation of Zr702/TA2/Q345R composite plate with a crack normal to the interface are studied by experiment and finite element method. When crack propagates to the interface from the compliant material side, the crack growth rate decreases to the minimum at first. After crack penetrates through the interface, the fatigue crack growth rate accelerates continuously. When crack propagates to the interface from the stiff material side, the fatigue crack growth rate generally increases with the crack length. Regardless of the direction of crack growth, the increase of load ratio will weaken the difference of crack growth rate near the interface caused by material property mismatch. Finite element results show that elastic modulus mismatch significantly changes the variation of the stress intensity factor amplitude. All results demonstrate that crack growth rate is dependent on the competition of the stress intensity factor amplitude, the fatigue crack growth rate in the corresponding material, and the interface strength.     

Fatigue crack growth law of API X80 pipeline steel under various stress ratios based on J‐integral

Load‐controlled three‐point bending fatigue tests were conducted on API X80 pipeline steel to investigate the effects of stress ratio and specimen orientation on the fatigue crack growth behaviour. Because of the high strength and toughness of X80 steel, crack growth rate was measured and plotted versus ΔJ with stress ratio. The fatigue crack length is longer in the transverse direction, whereas the fatigue crack growth rates are nearly the same in different orientations. Finally, a new fatigue crack growth model was proposed. The effective J‐integral range was modified by ΔJ_p in order to correlate crack closure effect due to large‐scale yield of crack tip. The model was proved to fit well for fatigue crack growth rate of API X80 at various stress ratios of R > 0.     

Fatigue crack propagation behaviour of rotor and wheel materials used in steam turbines

The fatigue crack propagation characteristics of several rotor and wheel materials that are commonly used in rotating components of steam turbines were investigated. Particular emphasis was placed on the behaviour at near-threshold growth rates, ie below 10^?5 mm/cycle, approaching the fatigue-crack propagation threshold, $\text{ΔK}{}_{\mathrm{<mtext>th</mtext>}}$. The lifetimes of the cracks of interest lie mostly in this region, and it is also the region where few data are available.The effects of load ratio on the fatigue crack growth rates were examined, as well as the tensile, Charpy V-notch and fracture toughness properties of the rotor and wheel materials. The relationship between fatigue crack propagation behaviour and fractographic features was examined. Fatigue crack growth rate data, $\text{da/d}\text{N}$ vs stress intesity range $\text{ΔK}$, were fitted with a four parameter Weibull survivorship function. This curve fitting can be used for life estimation and establishment of $\text{ΔK}{}_{\mathrm{<mtext>th</mtext>}}$. The results show that load ratio and microstructure play a role in determining the fatigue crack threshold and fatigue crack growth behaviour.     

Prediction of corrosion fatigue lives of aluminium alloy on the basis of corrosion pit growth law

Tension‐compression and rotating‐bending fatigue tests were carried out using aluminium alloy 2024‐T3, in 3% NaCl solution. The corrosion pit growth characteristics, and also the fatigue crack initiation and propagation behaviour were investigated in detail. The results obtained are summarized as follows: (i) Most of corrosion fatigue life (60–80%) is occupied with a period of corrosion pit growth at low‐stress amplitude. The corrosion pit growth law can be expressed as functions of stress amplitude σ_a and an elapsed time t. (ii) The critical stress intensity factor for crack initiation from the corrosion pit was determined as 0.25 . This value is the same as the threshold stress intensity factor range for crack propagation. (iii) Corrosion fatigue life can be estimated on the basis of corrosion pit growth law and crack propagation law. The estimated fatigue lives agree well with the experimental data.     

Influence of inclusion size on S-N curve characteristics of high-strength steels in the giga-cycle fatigue regime

Fatigue fracture of high-strength steels often occurs from small defect on the surface of a material or from non-metallic inclusion in the subsurface zone of a material. Under rotating bending loading, the S-N curve of high-strength steels consists of two curves corresponding to surface defect-induced fracture and internal inclusion-induced fracture. The surface defect-induced fracture occurs at high stress amplitude levels and low cycles. However, the subsurface inclusion-induced fracture occurs at low stress amplitude levels and high-cycle region of more than 10⁶ cycles (giga-cycle fatigue life). There is a definite stress range in the S-N curve obtained from the rotating bending, where the crack initiation site changes from surface to subsurface, giving a stepwise S-N curve or a duplex S-N curve. On the other hand, under cyclic axial loading, the S-N curve of high-strength steels displays a continuous decline and surface defect-induced or internal inclusion-induced fracture occur in the whole range of amplitudes. In this paper, influence factors on S-N curve characteristics of high-strength steels, including size of inclusions and the stress gradient of bending fatigue, were investigated for rotating bending and cyclic axial loading in the giga-cycle fatigue regime. Then, based on the estimated subsurface crack growth rate from the S-N data, effect of inclusion size on the dispersion of fatigue life was explained, and it was clarified that the shape of S-N curve for subsurface inclusion-induced fracture depends on the inclusion size.     

WNQ570桥梁钢及其对接焊缝疲劳裂纹扩展性能试验研究

对WNQ570桥梁钢及其对接焊缝进行了疲劳裂纹扩展速率和疲劳裂纹扩展门槛值测定试验,采用两种不同数据拟合方法分别得到具有95%保证率的疲劳裂纹扩展参数。结果表明：本批次的WNQ570钢材具有良好的疲劳裂纹扩展性能,其中对接焊缝疲劳裂纹扩展速率高于母材;在应力强度因子幅值处于10 MPa·m^1/2～70 MPa·m^1/2的常规区间时,基于单试件数据点的处理结果对应的裂纹扩展速率明显高于基于成组数据点的处理结果;WNQ570的疲劳裂纹扩展速率随应力比增加而增加,疲劳裂纹扩展门槛值随应力比增加而降低。     

Automatic near-threshold fatigue crack growth rate measurements at liquid helium temperature

The development of a fully automated test apparatus for near-threshold fatigue crack growth rate measurements in a liquid helium environment is described, and some initial results for AISI 300 series stainless steels are presented. The experimental apparatus consists of a servohydraulic test machine and a cryostat, complete with a minicomputer, a programmable arbituary waveform generator, a programmable digital oscilloscope and a fully automatic liquid helium refill system. The technique uses 6.4 mm thick compact specimens subjected to systematically decreasing loads, with 24 h operation at 40 Hz, the crack growth being continuously monitored by specimen compliance measurements. The results presented in this study include da/dN vs ΔK curves and threshold fatigue stress intensity factors, ΔK_th, at 4 K for AISI 304L, 304LN and 316 stainless steels. The near-threshold fatigue behaviours of these materials are similar, and the fatigue crack growth rate trends at intermediate ΔK levels nearly agree with published results.     

Micromechanisms of fatigue crack growth in aluminium alloys

The fatigue crack growth characteristics of high-strength aluminium alloys are discussed in terms of behaviour during mechanical testing and fracture surface appearance. For a wide range of crack growth rates, the crack extends both by the formation of ductile striations and by the coalescence of micro-voids. Dimples are observed at stress intensities very much less than the plane strain fracture toughness, and this is explained in terms of the probability of inclusions lying close to the crack tip. The striation formation process is described as a combination of environmentally-enhanced cleavage processes and plastic blunting of the crack tip.