Fatigue crack propagation in an aluminium alloy at 223Â K

The fatigue crack growth behaviour of a naturally aged aluminium alloy has been investigated at 223 K. Crack growth rates in a cold environment are shown to be slower than in ambient air, which is associated with a crystallographic crack path. Results are discussed on the basis of work previously proposed [Petit J, Hénaff G, Sarrazin-Baudoux C. Fracture of materials from nano to macro. In: Milne I, Ritchie RO, Karihaloo B, editors. Comprehensive Structural Integrity, vol. 6. Oxford: Elsevier; 2003. p. 211.].