DevTMF – Towards code of practice for thermo-mechanical fatigue crack growth

The current paper presents work on identification and evaluation of a range of factors influencing accuracy and comparability of data generated by three laboratories carrying out stress-controlled thermo-mechanical fatigue crack growth tests. It addresses crack length measurements, heating methods and temperature measurement techniques. It also provides guidance for pre-cracking and use of different specimen geometries as well as Digital Image Correlation imaging for crack monitoring. The majority of the tests have been carried out on a coarse grain polycrystalline nickel-base superalloy using two phase angles, Out-of-Phase and In-Phase cycles with a triangular waveform and a temperature range of 400–750 °C

Prediction of crystallographic cracking planes in single-crystal nickel-base superalloys

The inherent anisotropy of single-crystal nickel-base superalloys brings many difficulties in terms of modelling, evaluation and prediction of fatigue crack growth. Two models to predict on which crystallographic plane cracking will occur is presented. The models are based on anisotropic stress intensity factors resolved on crystallographic slip planes calculated in a three-dimensional finite-element context. The developed models have been compared to experiments on two different test specimen geometries. The results show that a correct prediction of the crystallographic cracking plane can be achieved. This knowledge is of great interest for the industry and academia to better understand and predict crack growth in single-crystal materials.Funding Agencies|Swedish Energy Agency; Siemens Industrial Turbomachinery AB through the Research Consortium of Materials Technology for Thermal Energy Processes [KME-702]</p

Evaluation of the crystallographic fatigue crack growth rate in a single-crystal nickel-base superalloy

Cracks in single-crystal nickel-base superalloys have been observed to switch cracking mode from Mode I to crystallographic cracking. The crack propagation rate is usually higher on the crystallographic planes compared to Mode I, which is important to account for in crack growth life predictions. In this paper, a method to evaluate the crystallographic fatigue crack growth rate, based on a previously developed crystallographic crack driving force parameter, is presented. The crystallographic crack growth rate was determined by evaluating heat tints on the fracture surfaces of the test specimens from the experiments. Complicated crack geometries including multiple crystallographic crack fronts were modelled in a three dimensional finite element context, The data points of the crystallographic fatigue crack growth rate collapse on a narrow scatter band for the crystallographic cracks indicating a correlation with the previously developed crystallographic crack driving force.Funding Agencies|Linkoping University; Siemens Industrial Turbomachinery AB</p

Simulation of leakage flow through dynamic sealing gaps in hydraulic percussion units using a co-simulation approach

In this study, a previously developed co-simulation method has been expanded to also simulate the dynamic behaviour of sealing gap regions in hydraulic percussion units. This approach is based on a 1D system model representing the fluid components and a 3D finite element model representing the structural parts of a hydraulic hammer. The sealing gap is a fundamental feature of a percussion unit, where the reciprocating motion of the piston is generated by the valve mechanism of the sealing gap. When the gap is closed it will prevent fluid flow between regions of different pressure levels. However, a small leakage flow through the gap will always occur which size depends on the clearance and the position of the piston. The method proposed here will take the structural motion and deformation into consideration when calculating the leakage flow. The deformed state of the structure is approximated by a cylindrical surface, in a least square manner, and communicated through the co-simulation interface to the fluid simulation module, and then used when calculating the leakage flow. This method aims at a more accurate simulation of the leakage flow that will not only yield a more realistic description of the mechanism on the local level, but also a more accurate estimation of global parameters such as overall performance and efficiency. The results indicate that the simulated leakage flow will decrease when dynamic gaps are used in comparison to static gaps, which is a consequence of the deformed structure that will generate smaller clearances. The leakage flow for the dynamic gaps will even be lower than for the static perfectly concentric case, mainly due to the reduction of clearances. The results also indicate that the dynamic eccentricity does not have a major influence on the leakage flow. The outcome from this study highlights the potentials of the described co-simulation approach for analysing the dynamics of the sealing gaps in a hydraulic percussion unit (i.e. gap heights, eccentricity ratios, etc.) including the evaluation of leakage flows and its impact on the overall performance. © 202

Criteria evaluation for the transition of cracking modes in a single-crystal nickel-base superalloy

Single-crystal nickel-base superalloys frequently experience two distinct fatigue crack growth modes. It has been observed that, under certain conditions, cracks transition from a path perpendicular to the loading direction to a crystallographic slip plane. As crystallographic cracking is associated with an increased fatigue crack growth rate, it is important to be able to predict when this transition occurs. In this work three different criteria for crystallographic cracking based on resolved anisotropic stress intensity factors are evaluated in a three-dimensional finite element context. The criteria were calibrated and evaluated using isothermal fatigue experiments on two different specimen geometries. It is suggested by the results, that a threshold value of a resolved shear stress intensity factor can act as a conservative criterion indicating cracking mode transition. Further, a trend hinting towards a loading frequency dependency could be observed.Funding Agencies|Linkoping University; Siemens Industrial Turbomachinery AB</p

The prediction of crack propagation in coarse grain RR1000 using a unified modelling approach

The polycrystalline nickel-base superalloy RR1000 is used as turbine rotor material in Rolls-Royce aero engines and has to withstand a wide variety of load and temperature changes during operation. In order to maximize the potential of the material and to improve component design, it is of great interest to understand, and subsequently be able to accurately model the crack propagation caused by thermo-mechanical fatigue conditions. In this work, experimental data is analysed and used to inform unified modelling approaches in order to predict the crack propagation behaviour of RR1000 under a variety of stress-controlled thermo-mechanical fatigue conditions

Block driving chain (gall's chain) of the increased load capability

В статті розглядається нова конструкція ланки ланцюга, що відрізняється від попередніх новим виконанням бічних пластин з відбортовкою отворів. Запропонована конструкція забезпечує підвищення навантажувальної здатності ланцюга і довговічності роботи у важких умовах експлуатації, а також зниження матеріаломісткості виготовлення ланцюга.The article "Block Driving Chain (Gall's Chain) of the increased Load Capability" by A.Bondarenko and M.Mikhailov deals with a new design of the chain link that differs essentially from the previosly used by employing lateral plates having drawn down holes along the contour. The suggested design provides the increase for the load capability of the chain and durability of its operation under rigorous service as well as the reduction of the material consumption in the process of chain manufacturing