FATIGUE CRACK GROWTH IN LUGS

Abstract— Crack growth in aluminium alloy lugs was recorded during constant-amplitude loading ( R = 1/3). Observations were made both for artificial cracks started by a small saw cut and natural cracks started by fretting corrosion between hole and pin. Scatter was low for artificial cracks, whereas considerable scatter applied to the natural cracks as a result of multiple crack initiation at different times and locations. The fastest crack growth was observed for artificial cracks, which appear to be a worst case as compared to natural cracks. K -values derived from crack growth results were in good agreement with K -values proposed in the literature.     

FATIGUE CRACK GROWTH IN CORROSIVE ENVIRONMENTS

Abstract— An analysis is presented of factors causing fatigue crack resistance in metals exposed to liquid corrosive environments. A new approach involving invariant diagrams is proposed that takes simultaneous account of the stress-strain state and the electrochemical conditions at the tip of a crack. Variations in electrochemical conditions at the tip of a stationary crack and the relationship between the electrochemical conditions at the crack tip and the fatigue crack growth rate in aqueous corrosive environments are discussed with the aid of these diagrams.     

FATIGUE CRACK GROWTH IN SEVERAL CERAMIC MATERIALS

Fatigue crack growth tests of five ceramic materials were carried out in order to investigate the general characteristics of cyclic and static fatigue crack growth in ceramics. A cyclic effect was found in Si₃N₄, Al₂O₃ and TiB₂, where the main fracture mechanism was intergranular separation, and stress shielding due to grain bridging occurred near the crack tip. On the other hand, no cyclic effect was observed in Sic and ZrO₂, where the main fracture mechanism was transgranular fracture. The fatigue crack growth curves reduced to a unique curve by using the parameter K_up/E, regardless of the kind of ceramics studied.     

FATIGUE CRACK GROWTH BEHAVIOUR IN DISSIMILAR BONDED MATERIALS

Abstract The fatigue crack growth behaviour of dissimilar bonded materials was studied using explosively bonded naval brass clad steel plate and roll bonded nickel clad and naval brass clad steel plates. When the residual stresses produced during manufacturing processes were small, the fatigue crack growth rates showed a good correlation with the true ΔK-values evaluated for the dissimilar bonded materials; apparent ΔK-values, determined on uniform material, failed to be a correlating variable. The residual stresses strongly affected the fatigue crack growth rate of the dissimilar materials. Some microscopic and fractographic observations were made on the fatigue-fractured dissimilar materials.     

MODELLING FOR FATIGUE CRACK GROWTH PREDICTION IN AIRCRAFT

Fatigue crack growth models, having application to Mirage III0 aircraft, have been calibrated with test data. Of the four crack growth retardation models examined—Wheeler, Willenborg, modified Willenborg and Crack Closure—the Wheeler and modified Willenborg models are the most satisfactory but both require calibration by test. Even so, crack growth is not accurately predicted when the specimen geometry and the test sequence are varied from those used in calibrating the models. Apart from the crack growth models, the main sources of inaccuracy in predicting crack growth are the inadequacy of the growth rate basic data, incorrect assumptions of crack shape and uncertainty in stress history. Thus, crack growth life may not be confidently predicted to better than a factor of two on actual life and, in some cases, the factor may be as high as ten.     

CRYSTALLOGRAPHIC FATIGUE CRACK GROWTH IN NIMONIC AP1

Recently a controversy has developed over whether crystallographic crack growth near threshold in Ni-base superalloys occurs along {111} slip planes or {100} planes at room temperature. In this work on Nimonic API crack propagation is shown to occur on both {100} and {111} planes. The most common facet plane is {111} and this is the only orientation observed at the lowest stress intensities, but at higher stress intensities occasional {100} facets are also produced. This behaviour is compared with similar results in aluminium alloys.     

FATIGUE CRACK GROWTH IN A SINTERED TUNGSTEN ALLOY

Abstract— Room temperature fatigue crack propagation in a sintered tungsten alloy was studied. The fatigue crack growth rates were found to be identical for the material in the sintered and forged and as sintered conditions. The propagation rates are slower when compared with other metals due to the relatively high Young's modulus of tungsten. The value of the exponent m in Paris' power law equation was found to be 12 which is higher than for most metals. This was ascribed to the activity of a cleavage mechanism through some of the tungsten grains along with the ductile decohesion fatigue mechanism.     

FATIGUE CRACK GROWTH UNDER ULTRASONIC FATIGUE LOADING

Abstract— In this paper, a stress and modal analysis of an ultrasonic vibration system consisting of a notched specimen and one or two amplifying horns have been performed by using 3D finite element calculations. The stress intensity factors in ultrasonic fatigue crack propagation are evaluated by means of displacement and energy approaches. The particular advantages as well as limitations of the two approaches are briefly discussed. Two types of ultrasonic fatigue loading, with a different stress ratio, are exerted on the specimen. From a comparison of the results a conclusion is formed that the energy approach is more accurate; it also has a wide range of practicality in engineering industries.     

NEAR-THRESHOLD FATIGUE CRACK GROWTH AND CRACK CLOSURE IN A NODULAR CAST IRON

Abstract— Near-threshold fatigue crack growth and crack closure were investigated in a nodular cast iron. Fracture surface roughness was promoted by spheroidal graphites. The spheroidal graphites are partially crushed to form powder which accumulates within the crack and thus enhance crack closure. The marked influence of stress ratio on near-threshold crack growth is due to graphite-induced crack closure. When the contribution of graphite-induced crack closure is excluded, the crack growth characteristics are insensitive to stress ratio, and the threshold behaviour for crack growth tends to disappear. In this case, Young's modulus becomes a controlling material parameter for the power law relationship between crack growth rate and stress intensity range.     

TIME-DEPENDENT FATIGUE CRACK GROWTH IN TITANIUM METAL MATRIX COMPOSITES

Abstract The interaction of fatigue and creep in a titanium metal matrix composite was studied by employing loading frequencies of 10 Hz (in both air and vacuum environment) and 0.1 Hz with and without hold times (in air) at 500°C. It was shown that, for the same loading frequency, the crack growth rate is lower in vacuum than in air. In an air environment, however, where the influence of load-related creep and environmental effects exist, it was shown that a decrease in the loading frequency leads to a decrease in the crack growth rate. This behavior is interpreted in terms of the redistribution of fiber and matrix stresses occurring in response to the creep-related relaxation of matrix stresses. The result of this stress redistribution is the generation of a compressive axial residual stress in the matrix phase in the region of the composite ahead of the crack tip. As the crack bridges the fibers in this region, the release of the matrix residual compressive stress leads to the closure of the matrix fractured surfaces at the crack tip, thus leading to a decrease in the crack tip driving force. To support this concept, experimental measurements of the crack opening displacement at different loading frequencies are presented. In addition, a simple model is proposed to describe the nature of the residual stresses developed in the matrix phase during cyclic loading. Results of this model have been examined using finite element analysis. The influence of time-dependent effects during a fatigue cycle was, furthermore, investigated by carrying out high frequency fatigue tests on specimens which have been previously subjected to creep deformation. Results of these tests in terms of the crack growth rate and associated crack closure, support the conclusion that a predeformed matrix produces a decrease in the crack growth rate of the corresponding composite.     

FATIGUE CRACK GROWTH BEHAVIOUR AND FRACTURE RESISTANCE IN CERAMICS

Fatigue crack growth and the fracture resistance curve (R-curve) were investigated in a polycrystalline alumina (AD90) and a silicon carbide whisker-reinforced alumina composite (Al₂O₃-SiC_w) at room temperature in air using a combined loading technique for stabilizing crack growth, and a surface film technique for monitoring crack length. Fatigue crack growth was evaluated successfully with those experimental techniques. Load shedding tests were performed until the crack became dormant, in order to determine the threshold stress intensity factor K_th. Subsequently, the specimens were used for quasi-static crack growth tests under a monotonic loading condition. The R-curves were determined in this experiment; however, fracture resistance did not increase markedly with crack growth. Detailed observations of the crack growth behaviour revealed that the flat R-curve was attributed to the shielding effect of the fatigue crack tip wake. Thus, the fatigue precrack introduced by the load shedding test was not regarded as an ideal crack for determining the R-curve. Fractographic observations were performed to investigate the mechanistic difference between fatigue and quasi-static crack growth. It was found that the cyclic loading produced fretting damage in the wake region and it reduced the shielding effect of the fatigue cracks. Based on the experimental results, the relationship between the fatigue crack growth and the R-curve is discussed as is the significance of K_th as a material parameter.     

CRACK FACE INTERACTIONS AND NEAR-THRESHOLD FATIGUE CRACK GROWTH

Rough fracture surfaces usually influence substantially the fatigue growth properties of materials in the regime of low growth rates. Friction, abrasion, interlocking of fracture surface asperites and fretting debris reduce the applied load amplitude to a smaller effective value at the crack tip (“sliding crack closure”, or “crack surface interaction” or “crack surface interference”). The influence of these phenomena on the fatigue crack growth properties of structural steel is discussed and compared for the two kinds of mixed mode loading employed in this work. Mixed mode loading was performed by (A): cyclic mode III + superimposed static mode I and (B): cyclic mode I + superimposed static mode III loading. Such loading cases frequently occur in rotating load-transmission devices. Several differences are typical for these two mixed-mode loading cases. A superimposed static mode I load increases the crack propagation rate under cyclic mode III loading whereas cyclic mode I fatigue crack propagation is retarded when a static mode III load is superimposed. Increase of the R -ratio (of the cyclic mode III load) leads to an insignificant increase of fracture surface interaction and subsequently to a small decrease of the crack growth rate for cyclic mode III loading, whereas higher R -values during cyclic mode I+ superimposed static mode III loading lead to a significant reduction of the crack growth rates.     

FATIGUE CRACK GROWTH UNDER BIAXIAL LOADING

Fatigue crack growth under biaxial loading for long cracks subjected to low cyclic stress levels was investigated. The biaxial stress ratio λ ranging from -0.5 to + 1.0 was considered. The strain energy density factor range was used as the criterion for predicting the crack growth rates and crack path. The agreement between prediction and experimental results was reasonable for crack growth rates and marginal for crack paths. The investigation highlighted the inherent difficulties for crack path prediction and indicated the increased sensitivity to initial crack angle and biaxial stress ratio when the biaxial stress ratio approaches unity.     

SLOW FATIGUE CRACK GROWTH AND THRESHOLD BEHAVIOUR IN IMI 685

Abstract— Fatigue thresholds and crack growth rates up to 10⁻⁴ mm cycle ⁻¹ have been measured in β processed IMI 685. The results obtained in laboratory air for material having an aligned α microstructure and a random basketweave microstructure displayed a pronounced load ratio dependence which increased with decreasing ΔK. This sensitivity to mean load was also apparent from the threshold results determined in a vacuum of 5 ± 10⁻⁶ torr.
Fractographic observations, compliance measurements, pd output and crack path replication have indicated that contacts can be made between the fracture faces at a number of points behind the crack tip during the load cycle. These contacts wedge the crack open, thus preventing the stress intensity from falling to the value associated with the minimum applied load. A critical stress intensity, K _op, has been determined which relates to the crack being fully "open" and the results are reanalysed and discussed in terms of an effective stress intensity range, Δ K _eff.     

CYCLIC FATIGUE CRACK GROWTH AND CLOSURE BEHAVIOUR IN ALUMINA CERAMICS

Cyclic fatigue crack growth behaviour in alumina ceramics is investigated and the effect of grain size discussed. Special attention is given to crack closure effects. Cyclic fatigue tests were carried out using four-point bend specimens, and the load–strain and load–differential strain curves were monitored. These curves show hysteretic behaviour probably related to frictional sliding of bridging grains, and also include non-linearities due to crack closure. The crack opening load is determined from the load–differential strain curve by using a method introduced in this study. Growth rates can be successfully described by the relationship da/dN = C[ΔK_{eff /(1 ? Kmax /KIC )]m} which is proposed in this study to account for the effects of crack closure and the maximum stress intensity factor. Irrespective of grain size, growth rates can be well represented by the above relationship, implying that the grain size exerts an influence on growth rates not only because of crack closure behaviour but also the material fracture toughness. The growth rate curve based on the proposed relationship shows a sigmoidal form for ceramic materials, which is similar to metals.     

A MICROSTRUCTURALLY-SHORT FATIGUE CRACK GROWTH EQUATION

Abstract— A brief outline of a recently developed model which describes the microstructurally short and the physically short crack periods of fatigue crack growth is presented. A single equation to describe both regimes is discussed and the model applied to data on a medium carbon steel. Good predictions relating to the actual experimental lifetime were achieved. The results are compared with the prediction of fatigue life based on a previously reported two-equation approach.     

THEORETICAL ANALYSIS OF FATIGUE CRACK GROWTH IN A COATED SUBSTRATE

A surface crack penetrating the interface between a presstressd hard coating and a substrate is analysed in terms of linear fracture mechanics in order to assess the fatigue properties of such a composite. Assuming Paris law, fatigue crack growth rate allows the determination of safe regimes, where a crack always experiences closure.     

CRACK GROWTH BEHAVIOUR OF FATIGUE MICROCRACKS IN LOW CARBON STEELS

The behaviour of low carbon steels has been studied, in particular the initiation and growth of the major crack which led to final fracture of smooth specimens, via surface replica and photomicrograph techniques. From this study, the fracture process and fatigue life prediction characterized by the growth of surface microcracks have been analysed by a new approach unifying the conventional approaches based on the final fracture of materials with the fracture mechanics approach. Knowledge of fracture parameters is critical for non-destructive inspection during service life and the application of fracture mechanics to life prediction and assessment.