Evaluation of Fatigue Crack Growth Rates and Threshold Conditions in an Al 2124-T851 Alloy at Different Load Asymmetry Considering Microstructure Orientation

Abstract

Results of a fairly comprehensive experimental programme aimed at evaluation of fatigue crack growth (FCG) rates in an aircraft Al 2124 alloy in T851 state, after hot rolling, solution annealing, small plastic strain and artificial ageing are presented and discussed. Measurement was performed not only in the region of stable crack growth, but also in the threshold region enabling to estimate threshold values of stress intensity factor range using method of regression analyses. FCG rates were evaluated in both L-T and T-S directions to evaluate sensitivity of FCG resistance on different microstructure orientation. Different load asymmetry conditions R = Fmin / Fmax were used, namely R = 0.1 and 0.6. Repeated measurements in more than one specimen at each condition enabled to evaluate reproducibility, scatter of measurement and to perform eventually probabilistic assessment. The reproducibility of measurement was particularly good for L-T orientation. In this case, threshold values were somewhat higher and FCG rates lower in comparison with the T-S orientation. In the contrary, cyclic fracture toughness in T-S orientation was slightly higher. The results are discussed form the viewpoint of residual fatigue life in aircraft components considering probabilistic aspects.