Key Engineering Materials Vols. 378-379

Abstract: Recent research works on bulk-metallic glasses (BMGs) have opened a window to create a new generation of structural materials for applications. Although the mechanical behavior of BMGs is being studied widely, the fatigue characteristics are poorly understood. The uniaxial tension-tension high-cycle fatigue (HCF) studies were performed on zirconium (Zr)-based bulk-metallic glasses (BMGs): Zr50Cu40Al10, Zr50Cu30Al10Ni10, Zr50Cu37Al10Pd3, and Zr41.2Cu12.5Ni10Ti13.8Be22.5, in atomic percent. The HCF experiments were conducted using an electrohydraulic machine at a frequency of 10 Hz with a R ratio of 0.1, where R = σmin./σmax., where σmin. and σmax. are the applied minimum and maximum stresses, respectively. The fatigue-endurance limit of Zr50Cu37Al10Pd3 was significantly greater than those of Zr50Cu40Al10, Zr50Cu30Al10Ni10, and Zr41.2Ti13.8Cu12.5Ni10Be22.5. In order to compare the fatigue property with the crystalline alloys, the same HCF experiments were also performed on Ti-6-4, drill tool steel, and Al 7075. The fatigue lifetime of Zr-based BMGs is generally comparable to those of Ti-6-4 and drill-tool-steel crystalline alloys and is greater than that of Al 7075 alloy. The fracture morphology of BMGs indicates that fatigue-crack-propagation region included the distinct rough striations and the fine striations. The possible mechanism for the striation formation was proposed.

Abstract: The fatigue growth of a surface crack in a metallic round bar under cyclic tension or bending is analysed. The stress-intensity factor (SIF) along the crack front is computed through a three-dimensional finite element analysis and the one-quarter point displacement method. The results are compared with those presented by other Authors. Then, the fatigue behaviour of the cracked bar is numerically determined by a step-by-step procedure.

Abstract: As is well-known, fatigue limit, threshold stress intensity range and fatigue crack growth rate are influenced by the specimen or structure size. Limited information on size effect is available in the literature. In the present paper, by employing some concepts of fractal geometry, new definitions of fatigue limit, fracture energy and stress intensity factor, based on physical dimensions different from the classical ones, are discussed. Then, size-dependent laws for fatigue limit, threshold stress intensity range and fatigue crack growth rate are proposed. Some experimental results are examined in order to show how to apply such theoretical scaling laws.

Abstract: Strain rate jump tests were performed during low cycle fatigue using plastic strain rate as the real time computed control variable. Test materials included OFE polycrystalline copper, AA7075-T6 aluminum, and 304 stainless steel. The evolution of dislocation interactions was observed by evaluating the activation area and true stress as a function of cumulative plastic strain. Activation area values for each of the three materials were evaluated from an initial state to saturation. All three materials exhibit a deviation from Cottrell-Stokes law during cyclic deformation. Tests performed on each of the three materials at saturation reveal a dependence of activation area on plastic strain amplitude for copper and aluminum but no such relationship for stainless steel. These results reflect a contrast between wavy slip for pure copper and 7075 aluminum versus planar slip for 304 stainless steel tested at room temperature. Dislocation motion in copper transitions from forest dislocation cutting [1-6] to increasing contributions of cross slip. Dislocation motion in 7075 aluminum and 304 stainless steel is controlled by obstacles that are characteristically more thermal than forest dislocations: obstacles in 7075-T6 aluminum are identified as solutes from re-dissolved particles; obstacles in 304 stainless steel are also solutes.

Abstract: This paper summarizes recent work on a new theory of fatigue crack growth in ductile solids based on the total plastic energy dissipation per cycle ahead of the crack. The fundamental hypothesis of the theory proposes a unified criterion for crack extension under monotonic and fatigue loading, so that the fatigue crack growth rate is given explicitly in terms of the total plastic dissipation per cycle and the monotonic fracture properties of the material. The total plastic dissipation per cycle is obtained by 2-D elastic-plastic finite element analysis of a stationary crack under constant amplitude loading, for both mode I (C(T)) and general mixed-mode I/II specimen geometries. Both elastic-perfectly plastic and bi-linear kinematic hardening constitutive behaviors are considered, and numerical results for a dimensionless plastic dissipation per cycle are presented over a wide range of relevant mechanical properties and mixed-mode loading conditions. Results are further extended to include fatigue delamination of layered material systems, where either discrete mismatches or a continuous grading of mechanical properties can exist across the interface.