Frequency and wave-form effects on the fatigue crack growth behavior of alloy 718 at 298 K and 823 K

Abstract

The fatigue crack growth rate (FCGR) of Alloy 718 was measured on CT type specimens at 298 and 823 K. At 823 K, the influence of frequency was studied in the range between 5 – 10^-3 Hz and 20 Hz, using a sinusoidal wave form signal. A substantial increase in FCGR occurred, particularly at low stress intensity levels, as the temperature was increased from 298 to 823 K and as the frequency was decreased at 823 K. At elevated temperature, the effect of cyclic stress wave form was equally investigated, using triangular and square wave form signals producing the same frequency of 5.10^-2 Hz. The triangular load led to higher FCGR than the square wave form. In addition the hold time of 10 s both at the maximum and the minimum load associated with the square load had no significant effect on the FCGR. Electron microscopy was used to observe the substructures that developed ahead of fatigue cracks. These observations showed that in certain circumstances plastic deformation proceeded by the propagation of planar bands which were identified as twins. At room temperature, twinning was found to be abundant only in the threshold regime. At 823 K, twinning was observed in the domain of higher FCGR, particularly at low frequencies. Fractography was carried out to study the micromechanisms of crack propagation. At 823 K. intergranular cracking occurred as the frequency was decreased. The comparison between the substructures formed in low cycle fatigue and those associated with the plastic zones of propagating cracks is made. The importance of planar deformation and twinning on intergranular cracking and on the acceleration of FCGR when the loading rate is decreased at 823 K, is discussed.