A comparison of the fatigue behavior of cast Ti–7.5Mo with c.p. titanium, Ti–6Al–4V and Ti–13Nb–13Zr alloys

Abstract

The purpose of the present study is to compare the high-cycle fatigue behavior of newly developed Ti–7.5Mo alloy with that of c.p. Ti, Ti–13Nb–13Zr and Ti–6Al–4V alloys in their as-cast state. Experimental results indicate that Ti–6Al–4V and c.p. Ti have higher stress-controlled fatigue resistance but lower strain-controlled fatigue resistance than Ti–7.5Mo and Ti–13Nb–13Zr. Among four materials Ti–7.5Mo demonstrates the best strain-controlled fatigue performance. The fracture surfaces of the present materials are comprised of three morphologically distinct zones: crack initiation zone, crack propagation zone, and the final-stage overload zone. The fatigue cracks almost always initiate from casting-induced surface/subsurface pores. A river pattern is observed in the propagation zone. In the overload zone dimples are typically observed. Three factors most significantly affecting the fatigue performance of the present materials are the presence of the casting-induced surface/subsurface pores; the location of the pores; and the inherent mechanical properties of the materials.