Fatigue Crack Paths 2003

1e-2

1e-3

c

1e-4

b

a

10

20

30

1e-65

3

4 5 6 7 8 9

ΔΔK(MPa*m0.5)

Figure 7a-c. Stage II crack growth path of a test at R=0.1 (LT direction).

C O N C L U S I O N S

In this work, the fatigue crack growth behaviour of a 6061-T6 aluminum alloy

reinforced with alumina particles was characterized. The main conclusions are:

• the properties along LTand TLdirections are not significantly different;

• the F C Gproperties are within the typical range of these materials;

• the influence of R-ratio is significant and can be described using crack closure

arguments;

• the crack path shows marked deflections that imply the development of crack

shielding mechanisms.

R E F E R E N C E S

1. Curran, G. (Jan. 1998) Materials World, 20-21.

2. Clyne, T.W. and Withers, P.J. (1995) An Introduction to Metal Matrix Composites,

Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, UK.

3. Shang, J.K. and Ritchie, R.O. (1989) Acta Metall et Materialia 37, 2267-2278.