A model for evaluating the effect of fatigue crack repair by the infiltration method

Infiltration of foreign materials into a fatigue crack has previously been shown to be able to retard the crack and extend fatigue life. Most of the r elated studies were empirical and phenomenological in nature. To aid engine ering decisions, it would be advantageous if the possible outcome of a repa ir can be evaluated beforehand. To this end, a crack closure model taking i nto account the additional closure effect of the infiltrant has been develo ped and verified against experimental results. With this model, the sensiti vity of the repair effect to various parameters such as mechanical properti es of the infiltrant, depth of penetration and infiltration load level can be assessed.