AFM studies on fractured surfaces of AF1410 steel and AA7075-T6 aluminum alloy

In the present research, atomic force microscopy (AFM) was used to characterize fracture surfaces of the AF1410, ultra high strength steel, and a high strength AA7075-T6 aluminum alloy. Both materials are used by the U.S. Navy in aircraft parts. The implementation of a reliable qualitative and quantitatively technique that could reveal three-dimensional characteristics of the material fracture topography and the study of roughness parameters was necessary to explain the fracture surfaces (nano-fractography). Compact tension specimens made of AF1410 steel and AA7075-T6 alloy were exposed to different conditions at fatigue and impact-fatigue testing respectively. The bottom half of the fractured fatigued samples in the AF1410 steel and both of the impact fatigued sample for the aluminum alloy were used for AFM observations. The surface roughness was a parameter that aided to quantify the surface texture of the steel sample. (Abstract shortened by UMI.)...