Material and component investigations on a Ti-6-4 fitting element

¹ Christian Doppler Laboratory for Fatigue Analysis, Franz-Josef-Str. 18, 8700 Leoben, Austria
² Chair of Mechanical Engineering, Montanuniversität Leoben, Franz-Josef-Str. 18, 8700 Leoben, Austria
³ Böhler Schmiedetechnik GmbH & Co KG, Mariazeller Strasse 25, 8605 Kapfenberg, Austria
⁴ EMBRAER Brasileira de Aeronautica S.A, Av. Brigadeiro Faria Lima 2170, São José dos Campos, Brasil

^a Corresponding author: wen.tan@unileoben.ac.at

Received: 24 August 2010
Accepted: 15 June 2011

Abstract

An improvement in the life time calculation is aspired by the characterisation of the life time behaviour of a typically lightweight aircraft titanium alloy by describing the microstructure. Therefore, extensive research on a Ti-6-4 fitting element has been carried out. In addition to static tensile tests, rotating bending tests and fracture mechanical tests, component tests with constant and variable load were performed. Simultaneously, the microstructures of the specimens and tested components are extensively analysed at several points including the lug area, as well as, the specimen’s microstructure taken out of the lower link fitting. A common consideration of life time results as well as results of the microstructure in the life time calculation shows the possibilities for more precise life time estimation.