Materials Science Forum, Vol.414-4, 31-36, 2003
Fatigue crack propagation limit curves for different metallic and non-metallic materials
There are different documents containing fatigue crack propagation curves and rules for the prediction of crack growth. The research work aimed to develop a new method for determination of fatigue crack propagation limit curves and determination of limit curves for different metallic materials (steels, austempered ductile iron (ADI), aluminium alloys) and their welded joints and for non-metallic materials (ceramic, polymer, composites), under different loading conditions, based on statistical analysis of test results and the Paris-Erdogan law. With the help of the characteristic values of threshold stress intensity factor range (DeltaK(th)), two constants of Paris-Erdogan law (C and n), fracture toughness and fatigue fracture toughness (K-Ic and DeltaK(fc)) a new method can be proposed. The limit curves calculated by the new method represent a compromise of rational risk (not the most disadvantageous case is considered) and striving for safety (uncertainty is known).
Keywords:fatigue crack growth;Paris-Erdogan law;limit curve;steel;austempered ductile iron;aluminium alloy;non-metallic materials