3D short fatigue crack closure behavior in Ti-6Al-4V alloy investigated using in-situ high resolution synchrotron X-ray tomography. (15th May 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Tubei, Valary; Toda, Hiroyuki; Hassanipour, Meysam; Hirayama, Kyosuke; Takakuwa, Osamu; Takeuchi, Akihisa; Uesugi, Masayuki
• Is Part Of: Engineering fracture mechanics. Volume 249(2021)
• Publication Date: 2021-05-15
• Subjects: 3D -- Crack closure -- Short fatigue crack -- Crack branching/overlap -- Facet paths; Fracture mechanics -- Periodicals; Rupture, Mécanique de la -- Périodiques; Fracture mechanics; Periodicals; 620.112605
• DOI: 10.1016/j.engfracmech.2021.107755
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0013-7944

Abstract

Graphical abstract: Highlights: High-resolution X-ray tomography is used to assess 3D short crack closure behavior. Near-tip and behind-tip closure is successfully separated for the first time. 3D crack closure behavior varies due to the complex fracture morphology. Development of behind-tip closure with crack growth predominantly affects the closure level. Abstract: In-situ synchrotron X-ray microtomography has been employed to investigate the three-dimensional (3D) closure behavior of short fatigue crack in Ti-6Al-4V alloy. At a spatial resolution level of 1 µm, tomography datasets were taken at two short crack fronts to observe the time evolution behavior of closure (sometimes called 4D imaging). Owing to the high spatial resolution level, the complex 3D crack morphology consisting of deflections, facet paths and crack branching/overlap caused by the 3D variation in the microstructural features were readily observed together with the occurrence of crack closure. This study separated the contributions of near-tip and behind-tip crack closure and observed their behavior with crack growth. It was deduced that the evolution of behind-tip closure with increase in crack length predominantly affects the overall closure behavior in the short crack regime. Crack front closure behavior variation was found to be attributable to the existence of different crack path morphologies which showed varied degree of fracture surface roughness due to Mode II and Mode III displacements. The relationship between closure, crack tip opening displacement range (ΔCTOD) and crack growth rate are also discussed.