What is it about?
Corrosion-fatigue causes substantial reduction in the operational life of metal-built aircrafts, particularly concerning welded components. In this work, the huge effect of the direction of crack propagation (regarding the weldline) on the crack growth rate and failure mechanisms under spray-salt environment is clearly demonstrated and fully elucidated for aeronautical grade friction-stir welded joints of 2024-T3 aluminum alloy.
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Why is it important?
Our findings show that, depending on the stress intensity, longitudinal cracking may be arrested under corrosive environment, accelerated up to 5 times faster than in ambient conditions, or even become independent of the circumstances, which is not exactly the same occurring for transversal cracks. Understanding distinctive behaviors for one and other crack orientations is fundamental to improve design and analysis of aircraft structural joints, favor and facilitate inspection, maintenance and repair, extend their useful life, prevent accidents, ultimately avoiding loss of life.
Perspectives
I strong believe that readers of Materials Science and Aeronautical Engineering research fields can learn how these specialties intersect towards aircraft design and manufacturing-safety enhancement against in-service failures and fatal accidents.
Jose Tarpani
Universidade de Sao Paulo Campus de Sao Carlos
Read the Original
This page is a summary of: Fatigue Crack Growth Behavior of Friction Stir Welded 2024-T3 Aluminum Alloy Tested under Accelerated Salt Fog Exposure, Materials Performance and Characterization, February 2014, ASTM International,
DOI: 10.1520/mpc20130036.
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