Analysis of the fatigue life of metal composites with a layer of zirconium alloy

Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, Opole University of Technology, Mikołajczyka 5, 45-271 Opole, Poland

^* Corresponding author: szymon.derda@doktorant.po.edu.pl

Abstract

Methods of joining dissimilar materials gain interest and attention of highly demanding branches of modern engineering. Acquiring high-quality bond between steel and titanium or zirconium alloys is perceived as especially advantageous in terms of high strength and corrosion resistance. In the present paper results of fatigue tests performed on five different metal composites produced in the process of explosive welding has been gathered. All tested materials were manufactured by a collision of zirconium flyer plates with base plates made of steel or steel-titanium bimetal. Fatigue tests have been conducted under uniaxial force-controlled tension-compression conditions with a constant amplitude of load applied parallelly to bonding interface. The analysis includes the residual stresses measured by the hole-drilling strain gauge method in the flyer plates and the applied stresses calculated by three different models. A description of the initiation and propagation of cracks developing within the joint during cyclically changing loading is also included. Based on the collected data, application conclusions were formulated regarding the optimal use of the tested materials.