SEDL / STP / STP1372-EB / STP13438S

Pitfalls to Avoid in Threshold Testing and its Interpretation

Bush, RW
Assistant Professor, US Air Force AcademyUSAF Academy, CO

Donald, JK
Director, Fracture Technology Associates, Bethlehem, PA

Bucci, RJ
Technical Consultant, Alcoa Technical Center, Aluminum Company of America, Alcoa Center, PA

Pages: 16    Published: Jan 2000

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Abstract

The impact of a number of testing variables on the measurement of fatigue crack growth thresholds is discussed. References are made to the original works from which the current recommendations for measurement of threshold in ASTM E 647 were derived. The applicability of these original recommendations in light of advances made since that time is discussed. In addition, the effects of some commonly overlooked parameters and features, such as residual stress and environment, on the measurement and interpretation of crack growth thresholds are presented.