Crack closure at positive stresses during random load fatigue crack growth

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Abstract
Fatigue crack closure at positive stresses during broad band, random load fatigue crack growth, has been investigated. Tests were performed on centre-notched specimens made from an aluminium alloy (B.S. 2L 71). The closure stress was found to be dependent upon the material thickness, the mode of fracture and the stress ratio Q. Under plane strain fracture mode conditions it was found that the closure stress for 22 mm thick specimens was greater than that found with 6 mm thick specimens. This difference in closure behaviour produced a slower fatigue crack growth rate for the thicker specimens. In addition it was found that for a given r.m.s. stress the fatigue crack closure level only impinged upon the dynamic range at low mean stress levels.

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