Abstract
The main objective of the work is to study the fracture behavior of AA6061-graphite material using both experimental technique and finite element simulation by considering helicopter rotor blade as a case study. From the case study, it has been observed that the helicopter rotor blade, made of AA6061, has been failed at the threaded portion of the hole. Experimental fracture toughness is carried out using the compact tension specimens as per ASTM standard testing procedure. Modeling of compact tension specimens and the threaded portion of the bolt hole was utilized to analyze the fracture toughness using a simulation tool. From the results and the comparison, it is recommended to use AA6061-9wt% graphite material as a replacement of AA6061 in the application of main rotor blades of the helicopter.
Highlights
The property of material through which it is capable of resisting the propagation of crack [1] is known as fracture toughness
The main objective of the work is to study the fracture behavior of AA6061-graphite material using both experimentation and finite element simulation method by considering helicopter rotor blade as a case study
From the above results it is recommended that AA6061-9%graphite material can be considered as a potential rotor blade material as a replacement of AA6061 in the application of main rotor blades of the helicopter
Summary
The property of material through which it is capable of resisting the propagation of crack [1] is known as fracture toughness. Many experimentation techniques have been conducted [4] on the fracture toughness of the Al6061-graphite particulate composites. Mikael Amura et al [5] investigated rescue military helicopter crash in Italy in the oprating conditions Their investigation revealed that the crash was caused by the fatigue failure of the spar of a main rotor blade. Experiments have been carried out to find the strength and fracture characteristics of the material from the main rotor blades of Mi-8 helicopter. Alaneme et al [14] studied the fracture toughness of Al6063-SiC particulate MMC It is observed from the results of the fracture toughness testing of Al6061graphite [15] and Al6063-SiC [16] that Al6061-graphite composite has more fracture toughness values.
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