Engineering topics

Wei, R. P.

Publications and source records attributed to Wei, R. P..

At least 19 records

NASA NTRS1994

Corrosion and corrosion fatigue of airframe aluminum alloys

Localized corrosion and corrosion fatigue crack nucleation and growth are recognized as degradation mechanisms that effect the durability and integrity of commercial transport aircraft. Mechanically based understanding is needed to aid the development of effective methodologies for assessing durability and integrity of airframe components. As a part of the methodology development, experiments on pitting corrosion, and on corrosion fatigue crack nucleation and early growth from these pits were conducted. Pitting was found to be associated with constituent particles in the alloys and pit growth often involved coalescence of individual particle-nucleated pits, both laterally and in depth. Fatigue cracks typically nucleated from one of the larger pits that formed by a cluster of particles. The size of pit at which fatigue crack nucleates is a function of stress level and fatigue loading frequency. The experimental results are summarized, and their implications on service performance and life prediction are discussed.

Chen, G. S.↗

NASA NTRS1984

Fracture mechanics and surface chemistry investigations of environment-assisted crack growth

It is pointed out that environment-assisted subcritical crack growth in high-strength steels and other high-strength alloys (particularly in hydrogen and in hydrogenous environments) is an important technological problem of long standing. This problem is directly related to issues of structural integrity, durability, and reliability. The terms 'hydrogen embrittlement' and 'stress corrosion cracking' have been employed to describe the considered phenomenon. This paper provides a summary of contributions made during the past ten years toward the understanding of environmentally assisted crack growth. The processes involved in crack growth are examined, and details regarding crack growth and chemical reactions are discussed, taking into account crack growth in steels exposed to water/water vapor, the effect of hydrogen, reactions involving hydrogen sulfide, and aspects of fracture surface morphology and composition. Attention is also given to the modeling of crack growth response, crack growth in gas mixtures, and the interaction of solute atoms with the crack-tip stress field.

Wei, R. P.↗

NASA NTRS1979

The combined influence of chemical, metallurgical and mechanical factors on environment assisted cracking

The principal aim of the paper is to re-emphasize and focus on both the multidisciplinary nature of the environment assisted cracking or embrittlement phenomenon. The multiplicity of factors involved in the embrittlement process is indicated, the mutual dependence of these factors and the influences of mechanical and environmental conditions are considered, and the interactions of various factors in determining the overall embrittlement response are discussed. The need for an interdisciplinary approach for resolving the major differences and for understanding embrittlement is outlined.

Williams, D. P., III↗

NASA NTRS1978

Fractographic analysis of gaseous hydrogen induced cracking in 18Ni maraging steel

Electron microscope fractographic analysis supplemented an extensive study of the kinetics of gaseous hydrogen assisted cracking in 18Ni maraging steel. Temperature determined the crack path morphology in each steel which, in turn, was directly related to the temperature dependence of the crack growth rate. Crack growth in the low temperature regime proceeded along prior austenite grain boundaries. Increasing the temperature above a critical value produced a continuously increasing proportion of transgranular quasi-cleavage associated with lath martensite boundaries. The amount of transgranular cracking was qualitatively correlated with the degree of temperature-induced deviation from Arrhenius behavior. Fractographic observations are interpreted in terms of hypothesized mechanisms for gaseous hydrogen embrittlement. It is concluded that hydrogen segregation to prior austenite and lath martensite boundaries must be considered as a significant factor in developing mechanisms for gaseous embrittlement of high strength steels.

Gangloff, R. P.↗

NASA NTRS1977

Gaseous hydrogen embrittlement of high strength steels

The effects of temperature, hydrogen pressure, stress intensity, and yield strength on the kinetics of gaseous hydrogen assisted crack propagation in 18Ni maraging steels were investigated experimentally. It was found that crack growth rate as a function of stress intensity was characterized by an apparent threshold for crack growth, a stage where the growth rate increased sharply, and a stage where the growth rate was unchanged over a significant range of stress intensity. Cracking proceeded on load application with little or no detectable incubation period. Gaseous hydrogen embrittlement susceptibility increased with increasing yield strength.

Gangloff, R. P.↗

NASA NTRS1976

Hydrogen enhanced crack growth in 18 Ni maraging steels

The kinetics of sustained-load subcritical crack growth for 18 Ni maraging steels in high-purity hydrogen are examined using the crack-tip stress intensity factor K as a measure of crack driving force. Crack growth rate as a function of stress intensity exhibited a clearly defined K-independent stage (Stage II). Crack growth rates in an 18 Ni (grade 250) maraging steel are examined for temperatures from -6 to +100 C. A critical temperature was observed above which crack growth rates became diminishingly small. At lower temperatures the activation energy for Stage II crack growth was found to be 16.7 plus or minus 3.3 kJ/mole. Temperature and hydrogen partial pressure are shown to interact in a complex manner to determine the apparent Kth (stress intensity level below which no observable crack growth occurs) and the crack growth behavior. Comparison of results on '250' and '300' grades of 18 Ni maraging steel indicate a significant influence of alloy composition and/or strength level on the crack growth behavior.

Hudak, S. J., Jr.↗

NASA NTRS1976

Influences of chemical and thermal environments on delay in a Ti-6Al-4V alloy

Experiments were conducted within the framework of linear fracture mechanics to study the effects of chemical and thermal environments on crack-growth retardation (delay) in mill-annealed Ti-6Al-4V alloy under elemental load spectra. Attention is focused on the influence of hold time at high load on delay in a 3.5 percent NaCl solution at room temperature. It is shown that delay is strongly affected by hold time at high load, where delay is longest if the high-load excursion occurs at high temperature and the subsequent fatigue is at room temperature, and shortest if the temperature profile is reversed. The results suggest that residual stresses ahead of the advancing crack play an important role in delay. The significance of combined load and environment (chemical and thermal) effects in terms of modeling and life prediction procedures is discussed.

Shih, T. T.↗

NASA NTRS1974

Hydrogen adsorption and diffusion, and subcritical-crack growth in high-strength steels and nickel base alloys

Coordinated studies of the kinetics of crack growth and of hydrogen adsorption and diffusion were initiated to develop information that is needed for a clearer determination of the rate controlling process and possible mechanism for hydrogen enhanced crack growth, and for estimating behavior over a range of temperatures and pressures. Inconel 718 alloy and 18Ni(200) maraging steel were selected for these studies. 18Ni(250) maraging steel, 316 stainless steel, and iron single crystal of (111) orientation were also included in the chemistry studies. Crack growth data on 18Ni(250) maraging steel from another program are included for comparison. No sustained-load crack growth was observed for the Inconel 718 alloy in gaseous hydrogen. Gaseous hydrogen assisted crack growth in the 18Ni maraging steels were characterized by K-independent (Stage 2) extension over a wide range of hydrogen pressures (86 to 2000 torr or 12 kN/m2 to 266 kN/m2) and test temperatures (-60 C to +100 C). The higher strength 18Ni(250) maraging steel was more susceptible than the lower strength 200 grade. A transition temperature was observed, above which crack growth rates became diminishingly small.

Wei, R. P.↗

NASA NTRS1974

A test procedure for determining the influence of stress ratio on fatigue crack growth

A test procedure is outlined by which the rate of fatigue crack growth over a range of stress ratios and stress intensities can be determined expeditiously using a small number of specimens. This procedure was developed to avoid or circumvent the effects of load interactions on fatigue crack growth, and was used to develop data on a mill annealed Ti-6Al-4V alloy plate. Experimental data suggest that the rates of fatigue crack growth among the various stress ratios may be correlated in terms of an effective stress intensity range at given values of K max. This procedure is not to be used, however, for determining the corrosion fatigue crack growth characteristics of alloys when nonsteady-state effects are significant.

Fitzgerald, J. H.↗

NASA NTRS1974

Delay in fatigue crack growth

The importance of delay, or retardation in the rate of fatigue crack growth, produced by load interactions in variable amplitude loading on the accurate prediction of fatigue lives of engineering structures has been well recognized for some time. Heretofore, only a few simple loading combinations or spectra have been examined systematically. In this investigation the effects of a broad range of loading variables on delay in fatigue crack growth at room temperature are examined for a mill annealed Ti-6Al-4V alloy. The results are used to estimate crack growth behavior under programmed loads.

Wei, R. P.↗

NASA NTRS1973

A study of crack closure in fatigue

Crack closure phenomenon in fatigue was studied by using a Ti-6Al-4V titanium alloy. The occurrence of crack closure was directly measured by an electrical-potential method, and indirectly by load-strain measurement. The experimental results showed that the onset of crack closure depends on both the stress ratio, and the maximum stress intensity factor. No crack closure was observed for stress ratio, greater than 0.3 in this alloy. A two-dimensional elastic model was used to explain the behavior of the recorded load-strain curves. Closure force was estimated by using this model. Yield level stress was found near the crack tip. Based on this estimated closure force, the crack opening displacement was calculated. This result showed that onset of crack closure detected by electrical-potential measurement and crack-opening-displacement measurement is the same. The implications of crack closure on fatigue crack are considered. The experimental results show that crack closure cannot fully account for the effect of stress ratio, on crack growth, and that it cannot be regarded as the sole cause for delay.

Shih, T. T.↗

NASA NTRS1973

Load interaction effects on fatigue crack growth in Ti-6Al-4V alloy

The importance of delay, retardation in the rate of fatigue crack growth, produced by load interactions in variable amplitude loading, on the accurate prediction of fatigue lives of engineering structures is discussed. The effects of a broad range of loading variables on delay in fatigue crack growth at room temperature are examined for a mill annealed Ti-6Al-4V alloy. The results are used to estimate crack growth behavior under programmed loads.

Wei, R. P.↗

NASA NTRS1973

Hydrogen adsorption and diffusion, and subcritical-crack growth in high strength steels and nickel base alloys

Embrittlement, or the enhancement of crack growth by gaseous hydrogen in high strength alloys, is of primary interest in selecting alloys for various components in the space shuttle. Embrittlement is known to occur at hydrogen gas pressures ranging from fractions to several hundred atmospheres, and is most severe in the case of martensitic high strength steels. Kinetic information on subcritical crack growth in gaseous hydrogen is sparse at this time. Corroborative information on hydrogen adsorption and diffusion is inadequate to permit a clear determination of the rate controlling process and possible mechanism in hydrogen enhanced crack growth, and for estimating behavior over a range of temperatures and pressures. Therefore, coordinated studies of the kinetics of crack growth, and adsorption and diffusion of hydrogen, using identical materials, have been initiated. Comparable conditions of temperature and pressure will be used in the chemical and mechanical experiments. Inconel 718 alloy and 18Ni(200) maraging steel have been selected for these studies. Results from these studies are expected to provide not only a better understanding of the gaseous hydrogen embrittlement phenomenon itself, but also fundamental information on hydrogen adsorption and diffusion, and crack growth information that can be used directly for design.

Wei, R. P.↗

NASA NTRS1972

Some important considerations in the development of stress corrosion cracking test methods.

Discussion of some of the precaution needs the development of fracture-mechanics based test methods for studying stress corrosion cracking involves. Following a review of pertinent analytical fracture mechanics considerations and of basic test methods, the implications for test corrosion cracking studies of the time-to-failure determining kinetics of crack growth and life are examined. It is shown that the basic assumption of the linear-elastic fracture mechanics analyses must be clearly recognized and satisfied in experimentation and that the effects of incubation and nonsteady-state crack growth must also be properly taken into account in determining the crack growth kinetics, if valid data are to be obtained from fracture-mechanics based test methods.

Wei, R. P.↗

NASA NTRS1972

The influence of temperature on fatigue crack growth in a mill annealed Ti-6Al-4V alloy.

To study the influence of temperature on the rate of fatigue crack growth in high strength metal alloys, constant load amplitude fatigue crack growth experiments were carried out using a .25-in.-thick mill annealed Ti-6Al-4V alloy plate. The rates of fatigue crack growth were determined as a function of temperature, ranging from room temperature to about 290 C, and as a function of the crack tip stress intensity factor in a dehumidified high purity argon environment. Limited correlative experiments were carried out in distilled water, dehumidified oxygen and hydrogen, and in vacuum. The results indicate that the rate of fatigue crack growth is essentially independent of test temperature in this alloy, and is affected by residual moisture in very small concentrations. Companion fractographic examinations suggest that the mechanims for fatigue crack growth in the various environments are essentially the same.

Wei, R. P.↗

NASA NTRS1972

The influence of temperature on fatigue-crack growth in a mill annealed Ti-6Al-4V alloy

To understand the influence temperature on the rate of fatigue crack growth in high strength metal alloys, constant load amplitude, fatigue crack growth experiments were carried out using a 1/4-inch-thick (6.35 mm) mill annealed Ti-6Al-4V alloy plate as a model material. The rates of fatigue crack growth were determined as a function of temperature, ranging from room temperature to about 290 C (or, about 550 F/563K) and as a function of the crack tip stress intensity factor in a dehumidified high purity argon environment. Limited correlative experiments indicate that dehumidified oxygen and hydrogen have no effect on the rate of fatigue crack growth in this alloy, while distilled water increased the rate of crack growth slightly in the range tested. Companion fractographic examinations suggest that the mechanisms for fatigue crack growth in the various environments are essentially the same.

Wei, R. P.↗

NASA NTRS1972

Fracture mechanics and corrosion fatigue.

Review of the current state-of-the-art in fracture mechanics, particularly in relation to the study of problems in environment-enhanced fatigue crack growth. The usefulness of this approach in developing understanding of the mechanisms for environmental embrittlement and its engineering utility are discussed. After a brief review of the evolution of the fracture mechanics approach and the study of environmental effects on the fatigue behavior of materials, a study is made of the response of materials to fatigue and corrosion fatigue, the modeling of the mechanisms of the fatigue process is considered, and the application of knowledge of fatigue crack growth to the prediction of the high cycle life of unnotched specimens is illustrated.

Mcevily, A. J.↗

NASA NTRS1971

Fractographic observations of Ti-6Al-4V alloy fatigued in vacuum.

These observations were made as part of a study of the influence of temperature and chemical environment on fatigue-crack growth. The results obtained, along with additional fractographic results in other environments, suggest that the mechanism for fatigue-crack growth in the Ti-6Al-4V alloy is basically similar (striations are observed) for a wide range of environments. In addition to ?vacuum,' these environments include distilled water, ?dry' and ?wet' air, ?dry' hydrogen, and ?dry' and ?wet' argon.

Ritter, D. L.↗