ISSN: 0090-3973
Page Count: 8

Measurement and Interpretation of Fatigue Crack Growth in 7075 Aluminum Alloy Using Acoustic Emission Monitoring

Gong, Z
Royal Military College of Canada,Ontario,

DuQuesnay, DL
Royal Military College of Canada,Ontario,

McBride, SL
Acoustic Emission Monitoring Services, Inc.,Ontario,

(Received 4 November 1997; accepted 2 July 1998)

Abstract

A method for monitoring crack growth during highcycle fatigue tests was demonstrated using acoustic emission (AE) monitoring. Windowing techniques were employed during the recording and interpreting of the AE data. The results provided linear relationships between AE events and amplitudes and crack lengths. The fatigue crack growth results from the AE data were in very good agreement with data measured using an optical microscope.

Fractographic observations of the crack and specimen surfaces showed that secondary cracks formed and linked to the main crack during intermediate stages of crack growth. The crack growth rate calculated from AE data reflected the formation of secondary cracks in this period.

Keywords:
acoustic emission, crack growth, fatigue, fracture mechanics, mechanical testing

Paper ID: JTE12114J
DOI: 10.1520/JTE12114J
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