Fatigue crack propagation and fracture mechanisms of wrought magnesium alloys in different environments

Fatigue crack propagation (FCP) was studied on wrought magnesium alloys, AZ31 and AZ61, in laboratory air, dry air and distilled water. In laboratory air, the FCP rate versus stress intensity factor plots consisted of two sections with different slopes, which was clearly recognized after allowing for crack closure. This was attributed to the transition in fracture mechanisms operated. In distilled water, FCP rates were nearly the same as in laboratory air, while in dry air, an order of magnitude slower than in laboratory air and distilled water. After allowing for crack closure, the environmental effects still existed and FCP rates were the fastest in laboratory air, then in distilled water, in dry air in decreasing order. Fractography revealed that the fracture mechanisms operated in laboratory air and in distilled water were different, possibly hydrogen embrittlement and anodic dissolution, respectively.