Fatigue Crack Propagation in a 5456-H117 Aluminum Alloy in Air and Sea Water

Abstract

Fatigue data on a 5456-H117 aluminum alloy have been obtained in air and sea water by fracture mechanics methods. It is found that the presence of sea water increases the crack growth rates and lowers the threshold stress intensity. The data for five stress ratios are correlated with two empirical equations. The effect of sea water on fatigue cracking is also examined by electron fractographs.