J. L. Evans, A. Saxena, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, AR
The advanced powder metallurgy disk alloy ME3 was developed by NASA, in cooperation with General Electric Engine Company and Pratt & Whitney Aircraft Engines, to provide extended durability at 1200oF in large disks. Studies have shown this material to have excellent high temperature mechanical properties, including elevated temperature fatigue crack growth resistance. More robust physics-based models for elevated temperature fatigue crack growth of jet engine turbine disk materials are needed for more accurate life prediction. One such elevated temperature fatigue crack growth model has recently been developed and applied to the directionally solidified superalloy GTD-111. This model is based on the thermal activation of dislocations and was shown to represent data for a range of temperatures. Using data from previous investigations, this present study evaluates the applicability of this fatigue crack growth model over a wide range of test conditions for ME3.
Summary: This study evaluates the applicability of a recently developed fatigue crack growth model over a wide range of test conditions for ME3.
