Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Apparatus for Accelerating Measurements of Environmentally Assisted Fatigue Crack Growth at Low Frequency

  • Published:
Experimental Techniques Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Testing the fatigue crack growth of materials at low frequencies and realistic stress intensity factors has historically demanded a large investment in time. Running a test at a frequency less than 1 Hz can take weeks, and if meaningful statistics are needed, 2–3 months might be necessary to provide one set of data on the fatigue crack growth rate (FCGR). A means of reducing that time frame by testing as many as 10 specimens simultaneously is presented. With this innovative design, compact tension specimens are run in series and according to ASTM Standard E647. Furthermore, there is no need to interrupt the fatigue testing of the linked specimens should one or more finish before the others. Specimens tested in this fashion generate consistent data of FCGR.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Little, R.E., Multiple Specimen Testing and the Associated Fatigue Strength Response, The University of Michigan Industry Program of the College of Engineering, IP-726, 23 (1966). http://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/6340/5/bac8029.0001.001.pdf. [accessed on 7 May 2012].

  2. Imig, L.A., and Garrett, L.E., Fatigue-Test Acceleration with Flight-by-Flight Loading and Heating to Simulate Supersonic-Transport Operation, NASA Technical Note TN-7380, 48 (1973).

  3. Slota, S.A., and Wegman, R.F., Fatigue Test Apparatus, U.S. Patent 3,937,071 (1976).

  4. Ermi, A.M., Bauer, R.E., Chin, B.A., and Staalsund, J.L., “Multispecimen Fatigue Crack Propagation Testing,” Transactions of the ASME 103(3): 240–245 (1981).

    Google Scholar 

  5. Hartt, W.H., “A Multiple Specimen Test Technique to Determine Fatigue Crack Growth Rates for Conditions Relevant to Offshore Structures,” Technology Assessment & Research Program, Project No. 144, 70–83 (1997). http://www.boemre.gov/tarprojects/144/144AA1.pdf. [accessed on 7 May 2012].

  6. Kim, H.Y., Marrero, T.R., Yasuda, H.K., and Pringle, O.A., “A Simple Multi-Specimen Apparatus for Fixed Stress Fatigue Testing,” Journal of Biomedical Materials Research 48: 297–300 (1999).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  7. Ay, I., Sakin, R., and Okoldan, G., “An Improved Design of Apparatus for Multi-specimen Bending Fatigue and Fatigue Behavior for Laminated Composites,” Materials & Design 29(2): 397–402 (2008).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  8. Rajparthak, S.S., and Hartt, W.H., “Fatigue Crack Initiation of Selected High Strength Steels in Sea Water,” Proceedings of the 7th International Conference on Offshore Mechanics and Arctic Engineering, Houston, TX, pp. 323–331 (1988).

  9. Hartt, W.H., “Corrosion Fatigue Testing of Steels as Applicable to Offshore Structures,” Baloun, C.H., (ed), ASTM STP 1086 , American Society for Testing and Materials, Philadelphia, PA, pp. 54–69 (1990).

  10. ASTM E647-11, Standard Test Method for Measurement of Fatigue Crack Growth Rates, ASTM International, West Conshohocken, PA, p. 46 (2011).

  11. San Marchi, C., and Somerday, B.P., Technical Reference for Hydrogen Compatibility of Materials, Sandia National Laboratories Report SAND2008-1163, 225 (2008). http://www.sandia.gov/matlsTechRef/. [accessed on 3 January 2012].

  12. Wei, R.P., and Simmons, G.W., “Recent Progress in Understanding Environment Assisted Fatigue Crack Growth,” International Journal of Fracture 17(2): 235–247 (1981).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  13. Gangloff, R.P., “Environmental Cracking—Corrosion Fatigue,” ASTM Corrosion Tests and Standards Manual: Application and Interpretation, Ed.: R. Baboian, ASTM, West Conshohocken, PA, pp. 302–321 (2005).

  14. Eadie, R.L., Szklarz, K.E., and Sutherby, R.L., “Corrosion Fatigue and Near-Neutral pH Stress Corrosion Cracking of Pipeline Steel and the Effect of Hydrogen Sulfide,” Corrosion 61(2): 167–173 (2005).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  15. ASME B31.12-2008, Hydrogen Piping and Pipelines, American Society of Mechanical Engineers, New York, NY, p. 258 (2009).

  16. ASME BPVC, Boiler & Pressure Vessel Code Section VIII, Rules for Construction of Pressure Vessels—Division 3: Alternative Rules for Construction of High Pressure Vessels, American Society of Mechanical Engineers, New York, NY (2010).

  17. Tsay, L.W., Huang, W.B., Li, Y.M., and Chen, C., “Hydrogen Embrittlement of a Ti-Strengthened 250 Grade Maraging Steel,” Journal of Materials Engineering and Performance 6(2): 177–181 (1997).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  18. Keller, J., Somerday, B.P., and San Marchi, C., “Hydrogen Embrittlement of Structural Steels,” FY 2011 Annual Progress Report, DOE Hydrogen and Fuel Cells Program, 299–302 (2012).

  19. McKeighan, P.C., Feiger, J.H., and McKnight, D.H., “Round Robin Test program and Results for Fatigue Crack Growth Measurement in Support of ASTM Standard E647,” Final Report, Southwest Research Institute (2008).

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Materials Measurement Laboratory, NIST, Boulder, CO, 80305, USA

    E. S. Drexler, J. D. McColskey, M. Dvorak, N. Rustagi, D. S. Lauria & A. J. Slifka

Authors
  1. E. S. Drexler
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. J. D. McColskey
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. M. Dvorak
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. N. Rustagi
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. D. S. Lauria
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  6. A. J. Slifka
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to E. S. Drexler.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Drexler, E.S., McColskey, J.D., Dvorak, M. et al. Apparatus for Accelerating Measurements of Environmentally Assisted Fatigue Crack Growth at Low Frequency. Exp Tech 40, 429–439 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40799-016-0045-5

Download citation

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s40799-016-0045-5

Keywords

Search

Navigation