Effect of Fatigue Loads on Behavior of 2024-T351 Aluminum Conduits for Aircraft Hydraulic Applications 2024-26-0431

Abstract: Hydraulic systems in aircrafts largely comprise of metallic components with high strength to weight ratios which comprise of 2024 Aluminum and Titanium Ti-6AL-4V. The selection of material is based on low and high pressure applications respectively. For aircraft fluid conveyance products, hydraulic conduits are fabricated by axisymmetric turning to support flow conditions. The hydraulic conduits further carries groves within for placement of elastomeric sealing components. This article presents a systematic study carried out on common loads experienced by fluid carrying conduits and the failure modes induced. The critical failure locations on fluid carrying conduits of 2024-T351 Aluminum was identified, and the Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) analysis was carried out to identify the characteristic footprints of failure surfaces and crack initiation. Through this analysis, a load to failure mode correlation is established. It was established that side & lateral plug loads have a higher contribution and influence on failure as opposed to hoop loads which are common in aerospace hydraulic components. Notes regarding crack propagation under this various loading configuration is documented. Keywords: 2024-T351 Aluminum, Hydraulic Systems, SEM, Material Characterization