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Sehitoglu damage model is often applied to evaluate thermomechanical fatigue (TMF) performance of the components in the environment of high temperature in finite element analysis (FEA). SiMo ductile cast irons have been widely used for exhaust manifolds in propulsion systems. The manifold experiences TMF due to the limitation of thermal expansion in the assembled condition. Mechanical strain and damage are therefore introduced by the constraints. On the other hand, it is known that ductile cast iron exhibits embrittlement at the temperature around 400°C due to the addition of magnesium (Mg) in order to obtain graphite nodules. This mechanical behavior at 400°C, which has to be considered in design, makes the ductile cast irons only partially satisfy the assumptions of the Sehitoglu damage model. In the present work, a two-step approach is presented to evaluate the sensitivity of the manifold geometry to the 400°C embrittlement using the Sehitoglu model.

Cast aluminum alloys are used for cylinder heads in internal combustion engines to meet low weight and high strength (lightweight) design requirements. In the combustion chamber, the alloy experiences harsh operating conditions; i.e., temperature variation, constrained thermal expansion, chemical reaction, corrosion, oxidation, and chemical deposition. Under these conditions, thermomechanical fatigue (TMF) damage arises in the form of mechanical damage, environmental (oxidation) damage, and creep damage. In the present work, several important properties that influence the TMF life of the cylinder head have been identified through TMF and finite element analysis (FEA). The results show that improving the strength at high temperatures helps improve TMF life on the exhaust side of the head. On the other hand, improving strength and ductility extend TMF life at low temperature on the intake side.