SEDL / STP / STP801-EB / STP44809S

Influence of Environment and Specimen Thickness on Fatigue Crack Growth Data Correlation by Means of Elber-Type Equations

Ewalds, HL
Delft University of Technology, Delft,

van Doorn, FC
Delft University of Technology, Delft,

Sloof, WG
Delft University of Technology, Delft,

Pages: 20    Published: Jan 1983

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Abstract

The effects of environment and specimen thickness on crack closure in 2024 aluminum alloy were investigated by using constant-amplitude fatigue tests. Crack growth rates for all test conditions were correlated with ΔK^eff values derived from equations based on the crack closure theory of Elber. Crack closure behavior was confirmed to be independent of environment, except for a small deviation ascribed to corrosion product wedging. Surprisingly, the Elber-type equations worked equally well for all specimen thicknesses; a possible explanation is offered. These results have important implications with respect to fatigue crack growth prediction models based on crack closure effects.