An evaluation of fatigue and fracture mechanics properties of ultra-high strength 7XXX series Al-alloys

The fatigue and fracture mechanics properties of rapidly solidified ultra-high strength 7XXX series Al-alloys have been studied. With respect to conventional high-strength Al-alloys, these materials exhibited a better fatigue-endurance on both plain and notched specimens at low stress amplitude in constant amplitude fatigue tests, whereas the opposite occurred at high stress amplitudes. Fatigue crack growth tests indicated lower crack growth rates at low ΔK-levels, but at intermediate and high ΔK-values these materials were particularly prone to additional components of “static” crack propagation, which led to steeply inclined da/dN vs ΔK curves. Moreover, the increase in tensile strength was linked with some loss of ductility and fracture toughness. Overload regions were characterized by a large amount of intergranular decohesion, possibly facilitated by the presence of incoherent particles at grain boundary regions and by the large strength differential between the matrix and precipitate free zone. The best results in terms of elongation to rupture and toughness were obtained by reducing the amount of Cr/Mn incoherent dispersoid-forming elements, in order to lessen the tendency towards matrix-dispersoid interface decohesion at grain boundaries.