Investigation of In-service Creep Failures of Aircraft Ti-6Al-4V Bolts

Abstract

Three Ti-6Al-4V bolts from mid-life jet aircraft failed during service operation. Each of the failed bolts were installed on a landing gear component. Metallurgical failure analysis indicated that the fracture mechanism is low temperature creep, possibly resulting from a sustained tension load over a long time. Visual inspection revealed ductile fracture morphology with no macroscopic deformation or corrosion. For all bolts fracture occurred close to the root at the first pitches of the thread. Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) analysis revealed dimple morphologies with micro-void coalescence. Energy Dispersive X-Ray (EDX) analysis did not reveal any material deficiency that would have precipitated failure.