High cycle bending fatigue life of submicrocrystalline aluminum alloy

In the paper the microstructure and mechanical properties of the submicrocrystalline 5083 aluminum alloy were investigated. Application of rapid solidification and plastic consolidation processes led to about 60% increase in yield strength and tensile strength comparing to conventional alloy. Additional groove rolling was applied to consolidated alloy which led to its further strengthening. The alloy maintained high strength properties up to the temperature of 400 °C. Stress controlled pure bending tests were carried out using the rectangular U-notched specimens at the stress ratio R = 0. There were no significant differences observed in fatigue life of the alloy in consolidated, groove-rolled and annealed states. Examination of the fatigue fracture surfaces revealed the effect of processing route and alloy microstructure on the dominant crack growth mechanism.