E647 − 23b

having complex shape forged, extruded, cast or machined thick rate data since it implies a non-unique growth rate dependence
sections where full stress relief is not possible or worked parts in terms of ∆K, and R (1).5
having intentionally-induced residual stresses. Specimens NOTE 3—The characterization of small crack behavior may be more
taken from such products that contain residual stresses will closely approximated in the near-threshold regime by testing at a high
likewise themselves contain residual stress. While extraction of stress ratio where the anomalies due to crack closure are minimized.
the specimen and introduction of the crack starting slot in itself 5.1.7 Along with crack closure, other forms of crack tip
partially relieves and redistributes the pattern of residual stress, shielding such as branching, wedging, bridging and sliding
the remaining magnitude can still cause significant error in the (among other extrinsic effects) can also reduce the crack tip
ensuing test result. Residual stress is superimposed on the driving force in comparison to the applied ∆K, with some of
applied cyclic stress and results in actual crack-tip maximum these sensitive to crack orientation relative to the material grain
and minimum stress-intensities that are different from those structure (E1823, Annex A2). The shielding concept is of
based solely on externally applied cyclic forces or displace- importance to the fracture mechanics interpretation of fatigue
ments. For example, crack-clamping resulting from far-field crack growth rate data since it also implies a non-unique
3D residual stresses may lead to partly compressive stress growth-rate dependence in terms of applied ∆K and R and may
cycles, and exacerbate the crack closure effect, even when the invalidate typical assumptions about LEFM similitude, be-
specimen nominal applied stress range is wholly tensile. cause the shielding dissipates energy not accounted for in the
Machining distortion during specimen preparation, specimen standard stress-intensity factor calculation. Material grain
location and configuration dependence, irregular crack growth structure can have a substantial influence on rate behavior,
during fatigue precracking (for example, unexpected slow or especially for materials with significant deformation during
fast crack growth rate, excessive crack-front curvature or crack rolling or other forming processes such as those that occur in
path deviation), and dramatic relaxation in crack closing forces the manufacture of aluminum alloy sheet, plate, forged, and
(associated with specimen stress relief as the crack extends) extruded product forms. For some materials, the common L-T
will often indicate influential residual stress impact on the and T-L orientations can lead to interactions between crack-tip
measured da/dN versus ∆K result. (5, 6) Noticeable crack- stress-strain fields and the surrounding grain structure, leading
to such effects as delamination toughening. Applications of
iTeh Standards
mouth-opening displacement at zero applied force is indicative
of residual stresses that can affect the subsequent fatigue crack some aluminum thick plate and forging products to unitized
growth property measurement. structure introduce possibilities of growth in less common

(https://standards.iteh.ai)
5.1.5 The growth rate of small fatigue cracks can differ
noticeably from that of long cracks at given ∆K values. Use of
orientations such as L-S and T-S, leading to out-of-plane crack
branching and unexpected crack turning to the weakest micro-

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structural plane during through-thickness crack growth. Such
long crack data to analyze small crack growth often results in complex shielding mechanisms may prevent successful trans-
non-conservative life estimates. The small crack effect may be fer of data from coupons to structural application, where grain
accentuated by environmental factors. Cracks are defined as structure and crack tip stress state may not be similar to those
being small when 1) their length is small comparedASTM to relevant
E647-23b
of the test coupon (2).
microstructural dimension (a continuum mechanics limitation),
https://standards.iteh.ai/catalog/standards/astm/dd7daab5-e709-4a03-9cf7-0d49b0a4efeb/astm-e647-23b
2) their length is small compared to the scale of local plasticity
5.1.8 Care should be taken to: identify and understand
unexpected shielding mechanisms during characterization; as-
(a linear elastic fracture mechanics limitation), and 3) they are sess similitude and transferability of the FCGR data for other
merely physically small (<1 mm). Near-threshold data estab- uses such as material ranking or structural analysis; and
lished according to this method should be considered as prevent unconservative data and applications.
representing the materials’ steady-state fatigue crack growth
5.2 This test method can serve the following purposes:
rate response emanating from a long crack, one that is of
5.2.1 To establish the influence of fatigue crack growth on
sufficient length such that transition from the initiation to
the life of components subjected to cyclic loading, provided
propagation stage of fatigue is complete. Steady-state near- data are generated under representative conditions and com-
threshold data, when applied to service loading histories, may bined with appropriate fracture toughness data (for example,
result in non-conservative lifetime estimates, particularly for see Test Method E399), defect characterization data, and stress
small cracks (7-9). analysis information (10, 11).
5.1.6 Crack closure can have a dominant influence on
NOTE 4—Fatigue crack growth can be significantly influenced by load
fatigue crack growth rate behavior, particularly in the near- history. During variable amplitude loading, crack growth rates can be
threshold regime at low stress ratios. This implies that the either enhanced or retarded (relative to steady-state, constant-amplitude
conditions in the wake of the crack and prior loading history growth rates at a given ∆K) depending on the specific loading sequence.
can have a bearing on the current propagation rates. The This complicating factor needs to be considered in using constant-
amplitude growth rate data to analyze variable amplitude fatigue problems
understanding of the role of the closure process is essential to (12).
such phenomena as the behavior of small cracks and the
transient crack growth rate behavior during variable amplitude 5.2.2 To establish material selection criteria and inspection
loading. Closure provides a mechanism whereby the cyclic requirements for damage tolerant applications.
stress intensity near the crack tip, ∆Keff, differs from the
nominally applied values, ∆K. This concept is of importance to 5
Subcommittee E08.06 has initiated a study group activity on crack closure
the fracture mechanics interpretation of fatigue crack growth measurement and analysis. Reference (1) provides basic information on this subject.