Abstract
An ultrasonic system was developed and used to observe the formation of fatigue cracks in centernotched sheet specimens of unalloyed aluminum, two aluminum alloys, a mild steel, and a nickel-base alloy tested in axial tensile fatigue. S-N curves of life-to-initial detectable cracks as well as life-to-fracture were obtained. With the reflection technique, fatigue cracks that ranged in length from 0.0005 to 0.005 in. were detected while the test was in progress. Cracks were detected within approximately 1 to 3 percent of total specimen life for all of the materials considered over the range of stresses considered. The through-transmission technique was utilized to measure relatively long cracks.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Hunter, M. S., andFricke, W. G., Jr., “Metallographic Aspects of Fatigue Behaviour of Aluminum,”ASTM Proc.,54 (154),717–732;discussion, 733–736 (1954).
Anctil, A. A., Kula, E. B., andDiCesare, E., “Electric Potential Technique for Determining Slow Crack Growth,”Ibid.,,63,799–808 (1963).
Srawley, J. E., and Brown, W. F., Jr., Fracture Toughness Testing, NASA TN D-2599 (1965).
Lyst, J. O., andBabilon, C. F., “Detecting Fatigue Cracks in Notched Fatigue Specimens by Changes in Electrical Resistance,”Matl. Rsch. Std.,2 (6),485 (1962).
Carlsson, J., Determination of Crack Lengths by Impedance Measurement, Rpt. No. He-988, Aeronautical Rsch. Inst. (Sweden) (1962).
Rasmussen, J. G., “Prediction of Fatigue Failure Using Ultrasonic Surface Waves,”Jnl. Soc. Nondestructive Testing,20 (2),103–110 (1962).
Rublev, Ya. A., andDanilov, Yu. S., “Ultrasonic Detection of Fatigue Cracks During Repeated Static Tests,”Industrial Lab.,29,1306–1309 (Apr. 1964).
Hinsley, J. F., Non-destructive Testing, MacDonald and Evans Ltd. London (1959).
Carlin, B., Ultrasonics. Second ed., McGraw-Hill Book Co., Inc., (1960).
Banks, B., Oldfield, G. E., andRawding, H., Ultrasonic Flaw Detection in Metals, Iliffe Books Ltd., London (1962).
Brosens, P. J., Hakimi, N. A.G., and Khabbaz, G. R., Detection of Fatigue Damage with Rayleigh Waves, Rpt. No. 60–307, Aeronautical Rsch. Labs. (Aug. 1960).
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Klima, S.J., Lesco, D.J. & Freche, J.C. Application of ultrasonics to detection of fatigue cracks. Experimental Mechanics 6, 154–161 (1966). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02326144
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02326144