Fatigue limit assessment of a 6061 aluminum alloy based on infrared thermography and steady ratcheting effect

Abstract

To quickly predict the fatigue limit of 6061 aluminum alloy, two assessment methods based on the temperature evolution and the steady ratcheting strain difference under cyclic loading, respectively, were proposed. The temperature evolutions during static and cyclic loadings were both measured by infrared thermography. Fatigue tests show that the temperature evolution was closely related to the cyclic loading, and the cyclic loading range can be divided into three sections according to the regular of temperature evolution in different section. The mechanism of temperature evolution under different cyclic loadings was also analyzed due to the thermoelastic, viscous, and thermoplastic effects. Additionally, ratcheting strain under cyclic loading was also measured, and the results show that the evolution of the ratcheting strain under cyclic loading above the fatigue limit undergone three stages: the first increasing stage, the second steady state, and the final abrupt increase stage. The fatigue limit of the 6061 aluminum alloy was quickly estimated based on transition point of linear fitting of temperature increase and the steady value of ratcheting strain difference. Besides, it is feasible and quick of the two methods by the proof of the traditional S-N curve.