A novel LCF lifetime model for PM superalloys considering crack energy differences induced by surface underconstraint

The mechanism behind why internal defects are less competitive than surface roughness in low cycle fatigue (LCF) failure is still an issue for inclusion-containing powder metallurgy (PM) superalloys. Differentiating the differences in applied energy and fatigue resistance at various failure sites is crucial to addressing this issue. This study first captures the dependence of failure site on applied loading from the fractographic observations to quantify the characteristics such as surface roughness, internal defects, and sub-surface facets. Subsequently, an LCF lifetime model is developed based on fracture mechanics principles, considering the difference in applied energy and cracking energy requirements due to underconstraint degree at different sites. A representative volume element (RVE) with similar grain characteristic is then established, and different boundary conditions are applied to describe the energy differences around internal and surface. By comparing the energy at different failure sites, the model predicts the tendency of failure sites under varying loading conditions. The developed LCF lifetime model distinguishes energy input and fatigue resistance differences at surface, sub-surface, and interior of the specimen, which reduces the lifetime prediction error from a scatter band of 9 times to within 3 times.