FATIGUE BEHAVIOUR OF 6000 SERIES ALUMINIUM ALLOYS ON CYLINDER BLOCK OF A FREE PISTON LINEAR ENGINE USING TOTAL LIFE APPROACH

Abstract

Finite element based fatigue and damage behaviour of 6000 series aluminium alloys (range AA6009-T6 to AA6951-T^) on cylinder block of two-stroke free piston linear engine has been investigated in this paper. The finite element modeling and analysis have been performed using element analysis software and the fatigue life prediction was carried out using finite element based fatigue analysis commercial codes. Fatigue total life approach was used when the piston is subjected to constant and variable amplitude loading Constant amplitude and variable amplitude loading were performed at different loading conditions. The effects of mean stress and sensitivity analysis on fatigue life of aluminium alloys are discussed. From the results, it is shown that the Goodman mean stress correction method is more conservative life prediction. This papaer also describes the effect od material and component S-N approach. The reult is a life contour, showing how long each area of a mounting will survive under the defined loading conditions. Yhe results showed contour plots of fatigue life and fatigue damage at most damaging case.