Myriam Brochu

Fatigue Behavior of Semi-Solid Cast Aluminum: A Critical Review

Aluminum alloys are increasingly used in automotive and aeronautic applications to produce high performance, lightweight parts. Among the reasons for this, is the emergence of high integrity processes (HIP), which widens the field of application for cast aluminum alloys. In fact, metallurgical quality and consistency that characterize components produced by HIP are necessary for critical safety components. In addition to attaining maximum strength, critical safety components need to be ductile and resistant to cyclic loading. According to the North American Die Casting Association, rheocasting is a high integrity process capable of producing parts with fewer defects than conventional casting process. Rheocast components are known to have better mechanical properties than permanent mold castings. Moreover, they can be heat-treated which is impractical in the case of classical die cast components. However, the fatigue behavior of rheocast aluminum alloys has been investigated since about 2000 and few results have been published on this subject. This paper reviews the studies of fatigue behavior of aluminum semi-solid cast components. Published experimental results on high cycle fatigue resistance (S-N diagrams), long crack propagation, crack closure effects and short crack particularities are presented.

Surface Roughness Effects on the Fatigue Behavior of As-Machined Inconel718

Surface finish of machined components plays a key role in their life performance. The aim of this research is to investigate the effect of different roughness parameters on high cycle fatigue behavior of Inconel718. Rotating bending fatigue tests have been performed on Inconel718 specimens with various surface roughnesses produced by turning. Height and amplitude distribution roughness parameters were investigated. Statistical analyses show that a valley material component (Mr2), as one of the amplitude distribution parameters, is the most relevant parameter for the high cycle fatigue life of machined specimens. Observations conducted at the surface of broken specimens gage length, have shown the impact of surface roughness and residual stresses on the crack propagation mode. When the roughness increases, valleys were shown to be deeper and larger, leading to a higher Mr2 value and an increase of stress concentration.

Effect of the Rheocasting Process and of the SLS Layer on the Fatigue Behavior of 357 Aluminum Alloy

Two objectives were targeted: 1) compare the high cycle fatigue behavior of rheocast aluminum alloy 357 prepared by the swirl enthalpy equilibration device (SEED) and by the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) process, and 2) study the effect of surface liquid segregation (SLS) on the fatigue behavior of the CSIR material. Rectangular hourglass specimens machined from rheocast plates were tested at four stress amplitudes in axial fatigue with a stress ratio of R = -1 and a frequency of 20 Hz. Results obtained for SLS free specimens show that the SEED and the CSIR processes produce rheocast materials with comparable high cycle fatigue properties, 115 MPa at 107 cycles. In order to study the influence of surface liquid segregation, slightly polished specimens with a remaining SLS of nearly 750 microns thick were also tested. According to the results, the SLS reduces the average fatigue strength by approximately 5% (110 MPa vs. 115 MPa at 107 cycles). For SLS free specimens, the fatigue crack initiated at shrinkage cavities, oxide films or in the alpha globules. On the other hand, for specimens with SLS, no crack initiation in the alpha globules was observed. The main crack initiation mechanism was identified to be a deformation incompatibility between regions characterized by higher silicon content compared to nominal eutectic regions. The originality of the work is provided by the rigorous comparative analysis of the fatigue performance of components produced in two different rheocasting facilities, but tested in a single laboratory. It is also the first fundamental research published on the mechanical effect of surface liquid segregation. It confirms that SLS should be removed in critical areas in order to optimize the fatigue resistance of rheocast components.