2. Fatigue Analysis of 7075 Aluminum Alloy by Optoacoustic Method

The influence of fatigue damage on the elastic response of AA7075 aluminum alloy was investigated through a combination of optical and acoustical experiments. Specimens were previously subjected to fatigue cyclic loads at various fatigue levels within the fatigue life. Macroscopic deformation process under a certain load below the yield point (elastic region) for the pre-fatigued specimen was visualized by electronic speckle pattern interferometry (ESPI). At the same time, the acoustic velocities of vertical and shear waves propagating in the fatigued specimen were measured using an ultrasonic probe. The acoustic analysis showed the following change in residual stress by the fatigue cyclic load; an increase in compressive residual stress with the number of pre-fatigue cycles (N_P) below 10³, and relaxation of the residual stress N_P over 10³. The visualization using ESPI demonstrated that the strain heterogeneity in the macroscopic elastic regime was enhanced with increase of the pre-fatigue cycle. The correlation between the optical and the acoustical measurement results is discussed based on the change in the residual stress, localized plastic deformation, and the crack initiation.