Multiaxial fatigue strength of titanium alloys

The present paper investigates the multiaxial fatigue strength of sharp V-notched components made of titanium grade 5 alloy (Ti-6Al-4V). Axisymmetric notched specimens have been tested under combined tension and torsion fatigue loadings, both proportional and non-proportional, taking into account different nominal load ratios (R = -1 and 0). All tested samples have a notch root radius about equal to 0.1 mm, a notch depth of 6 mm and an opening angle of 90 degrees. The fatigue results obtained by applying multiaxial loadings are discussed together with those related to pure tension and pure torsion experimental fatigue tests, carried out on both smooth and notched specimens at load ratios R ranging between -3 and 0.5. Altogether, more than 250 fatigue results (19 S-N curves) are examined, first on the basis of nominal stress amplitudes referred to the net area and secondly by means of the strain energy density averaged over a control volume embracing the V-notch tip. The effect of the loading mode on the control volume size has been analysed, highlighting a wide difference in the notch sensitivity of the considered material under tension and torsion loadings. Accordingly, the control radius of the considered titanium alloy (Ti-6Al-4V) is found to be strongly affected by the loading mode.