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Characterizing small fatigue cracks in metallic alloys

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Abstract

Small fatigue cracks grow faster than large fatigue cracks and below the large-crack threshold, and it is necessary to include these characteristics in many life-prediction models. Numerous micromechanics experimental measurements have been made to determine the origin of this anomalous small-crack behavior and to unify and predict small- and large-crack growth-rate behavior. Micromechanics showed that a stress-intensity factor described the crack-opening displacement (COD). Four methods for characterizing small-fatigue-crack behavior are reviewed: three based on fracture mechanics and one empirical. The three fracture mechanics-based methods are essentially complementary to each other and allow prediction of small-crack growth-rate behavior.

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  1. David L. Davidson

    Present address: the Southwest Research Institute, 78231, San Antonio, TX

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    1. David L. Davidson
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    Davidson, D.L. Characterizing small fatigue cracks in metallic alloys. Metall Mater Trans A 35, 7–14 (2004). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11661-004-0103-y

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