Summary and Conclusions

This paper reviewed some PCF models and discussed their usefulness and limitations in estimating the total fatigue life of a component. The applicability of PCF models was demonstrated with a realistic case study involving the fatigue failure of a landing gear shock-strut cylinder. Some examples of critical pitting corrosion fatigue incidents in aircraft and helicopter components were provided to illustrate the significance of developing more realistic models to address this particular failure mechanism. To accomplish this, fatigue growth rate data in a realistic environment need to be generated. Also, the materials response to nucleation of pits and their growth rate under various stresses and environments should be studied.


Review of Pitting Corrosion Fatigue Models, D.W. Hoeppner, V. Chandrasekaran, and A.M.H. Taylor, University of Utah and FASIDE International Inc.