Tuning low cycle fatigue properties of Cu-Be-Co-Ni alloy by precipitation design

Abstract

As material for key parts applied in the aerospace field, the Cu-Be-Co-Ni alloy sustains cyclic plastic deformation in service, resulting in the low cycle fatigue (LCF) failure. The LCF behaviors are closely related to the precipitation states of the alloy, but the specific relevance is still unknown. To provide reasonable regulation of the LCF properties for various service conditions, the effect of precipitation states on the LCF behaviors of the alloy was investigated. It is found that the alloy composed fully of non-shearable γ′ precipitates has higher fatigue crack initiation resistance, resulting in a longer fatigue life under LCF process with low total strain amplitude. The alloy with fine shearable γ′ I precipitates presents higher fatigue crack propagation resistance, leading to a longer fatigue life under LCF process with high total strain amplitude. The cyclic stress response behavior of the alloy depends on the competition between the kinematic hardening and isotropic softening. The fine shearable γ′ I precipitates retard the decrease of effective stress during cyclic loading, causing cyclic hardening of the alloy. The present work would help to design reasonable precipitation states of the alloy for various cyclic loading conditions to guarantee its safety in service.