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Hydrogen-enhanced fatigue crack growth in Ti-6Al-4V ELI weldments

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Abstract

The effects of a hydrogen environment on the fatigue crack growth rates in Ti-6A1-4V ELI (STA) and weld material were determined in the temperature range of ambient to -200°F. The hydrogen environment resulted in an acceleration of the crack growth rate and a change in the fracture mode for both materials in the temperature range of ambient to -100°F. At -200°F, there was no significant difference between the crack growth rates obtained in helium and hydrogen gas. The degree of hydrogén-enhanced crack growth was found to be dependent on the crack tip stress-intensity range, temperature, and microstructure of the material. The data is consistent with an embrittlement mechanism involving hydrogen diffusing ahead of the crack front.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Materials and Methods, Research and Engineering Department, McDonnell Douglas Astronautics Co.-Western Division, Huntington Beach, Calif

    G. F. Pittinato (Research Engineer)

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  1. G. F. Pittinato
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Pittinato, G.F. Hydrogen-enhanced fatigue crack growth in Ti-6Al-4V ELI weldments. Metall Trans 3, 235–243 (1972). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02680602

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