A Subsurface Fatigue Crack Generation Model in near Alpha Titanium at Low Temperature

Abstract

The subsurface fatigue crack generation processes in near α type titanium alloy were divided into four steps: (1) development of a saturated dislocation structure by cyclical micro-plastic strain accumulation, (2) generation of localized slip and/or microcracking to relax the stress concentration in the vicinity of a boundary, (3) microcrack growth and transition to main crack, and (4) crack propagation. The experimentals on transgranular facets formation in Ti-Fe-O alloy were reviewed and a subsurface fatigue crack generation model was discussed. The β platelets which were aligned between the recrystallized α grain and the recovered α grain were responsible for the microcrack generation to form (0001) tansgranular facet in the recrystallized α grains. A combination of the shear stress and tensile stress normal to the basal plane may give a trigger of the (0001) microcracking in the recrystallized α grain. The localized shear stress following slip off on the basal plane was activated at the microcrack tip in the recrystallizedαgrain, and the microcrack grew into the recrystallized α grain to form (0001) transgranular facet.