Characterization of high cycle fatigue behavior of a new generation aluminum lithium alloy

Abstract The high cycle fatigue life characteristics of an Al–Li alloy were studied as a function of microstructure. While for the parent microstructure fatigue life decreased as grain size increased, no such effect was noted at high stresses. This decrease in fatigue life was correlated with lower crack initiation life due to small crack effect. Under multiaxial stress conditions, the alloy exhibited intergranular cracking. The cross-linking of intergranular cracks (in the T8 condition) caused a further deterioration in fatigue life. Additionally, planar slip movements (in the T3 condition) in stage I crack propagation were observed. Slip planarity depended on both the sample texture and the nature of the precipitates. Fractographic and textural evidence is presented.