The elevated temperature fatigue-crack propagation response of Inconel 600 and Inconel 718 was characterized within a linear-elastic fracture mechanics framework in air and low-oxygen liquid sodium environments. The crack growth rates of both nickel-base alloys tested in liquid sodium were found to be considerably lower than those obtained in air. This enhanced fatigue resistance in sodium was attributed to the very low oxygen content in the inert sodium environment. Electron fractographic examination of the Inconel 600 and Inconel 718 fatigue fracture surfaces revealed that operative crack growth mechanisms were dependent on the prevailing stress intensity level. Under low growth rate conditions, Inconel 600 and Inconel 718 fracture surfaces exhibited a faceted, crystollographic morphology in both air and sodium environments. In the higher growth rate regime, fatigue striations were observed; however, striations formed in sodium were rather ill-defined. These indistinct striations were attributed to the absence of oxygen in the liquid sodium environment. Striation spacing measurements were found to be in excellent agreement with macroscopic growth rates in both environments.
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July 1979
Research Papers
The Fatigue-Crack Propagation Response of Two Nickel-Base Alloys in a Liquid Sodium Environment
W. J. Mills,
W. J. Mills
Hanford Engineering Development Laboratory, Westinghouse Hanford Co., Richland, Wash. 99352
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L. A. James
L. A. James
Hanford Engineering Development Laboratory, Westinghouse Hanford Co., Richland, Wash. 99352
Search for other works by this author on:
W. J. Mills
Hanford Engineering Development Laboratory, Westinghouse Hanford Co., Richland, Wash. 99352
L. A. James
Hanford Engineering Development Laboratory, Westinghouse Hanford Co., Richland, Wash. 99352
J. Eng. Mater. Technol. Jul 1979, 101(3): 205-213 (9 pages)
Published Online: July 1, 1979
Article history
Received:
March 26, 1979
Online:
August 17, 2010
Citation
Mills, W. J., and James, L. A. (July 1, 1979). "The Fatigue-Crack Propagation Response of Two Nickel-Base Alloys in a Liquid Sodium Environment." ASME. J. Eng. Mater. Technol. July 1979; 101(3): 205–213. https://doi.org/10.1115/1.3443679
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