Electron back scattered diffraction (EBSD) analysis of quasi-cleavage and hydrogen induced fractures under cyclic and dwell loading in titanium alloys

Evidence for sub-surface fatigue crack initiation is often reported for near alpha titanium alloys such as the coarse grained IMI685 and the fine duplex structured lM1834. In such materials with a typical as received hydrogen concentration of 40-60 ppm the initiation site is invariably characterized by quasi-cleavage facetting. Similar facetting is also associated with the low temperature dwell sensitive fatigue response in the same alloys. For IMI685, it is reported that this failure mechanism is replaced by alpha/beta interface cracking when the alloy contains a relatively high concentration of interstitial hydrogen. The present paper characterises the local grain orientation and microstructural conditions associated with these various forms of failure through the use of a microtextural analysis technique based upon electron back scattered diffraction (EBSD) measurements. The observations are related to an existing model to account for facet formation based upon the pile-up of dislocations at grain-boundaries. The implications for further use of this technique with titanium alloys are discussed.