Fatigue Crack Growth Rates in Friction Stir Welding Joints of 7075-T6 Al Alloy and Fatigue Life Prediction Based on AFGROW

Abstract:

In this work, a study of fatigue crack propagation (FCP) behavior of friction stir welding (FSW) joints of 7075-T6 aluminum alloy was carried out. Fatigue crack growth rate curves were determined for cracks growing in different locations of the welding lines, including prefabricated crack through welding seam center, advancing side (AS), retreating side (RS), and vertical to welding seam. A computational simulation of fatigue crack propagation was conducted by AFGROW with different stress ratios R, and the effects of R on FCP rate were analyzed. Results showed that the FCP rate in RS of the Heat Affected Zone (HAZ) was the lowest and the highest was in the region vertical to the welding seam. In the low stress intensity factor range (△K) region, the FCP rate in Nugget Zone (NZ) was lower than that in AS of the HAZ, but in the high △K region, the situation was contrary. Reasons of the results were analyzed. Compared with the standard of International Institute of Welding (IIW), FCP rates in all regions were lower and it concluded nice fatigue properties of FSW 7075-T6. The simulation made in terms of crack propagation rate (da/dN) versus △K generally showed a good agreement with the measured values. The study of effects of different R on FCP rates based on AFGROW indicated that FCP rates increased with increasing R.

• Periodical: Advanced Materials Research (Volume 337)
• Pages: 507-510
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.4028/www.scientific.net/AMR.337.507
• Online since: September 2011
• Authors: Bin Lian Zou, Xin Qi Yang, Jia Hua Chen
• Keywords: Afgrow, Aluminium Alloy, Fatigue Crack Propagation Rate, Fatigue Performance, Friction Stir Welding (FSW)

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