Crack propagation models: numerical and experimental results on Ti–6Al–4V notched specimens

To investigate on corrosion fatigue, a reliable crack propagation rate model has to be adopted, along with a suitable fracture mechanics model, to decouple the mechanical contribution from the environmental effects. In the present work, a numerical algorithm is proposed to characterize the mechanical behaviour of notched Ti–6Al–4V specimens for fatigue and corrosion fatigue tests. The method is based on theoretical crack propagation rate models, jointly with stress intensity factor range obtained from linear finite element models. Results are compared with experimental data for axial fatigue (R = 0.1) and theoretical models for fatigue crack growth, such as Paris, Walker and Kato.