Effect of Surface Processes on High-Cycle Fatigue Life of Titanium Alloys

Abrasive blasting and chemical etching processes are often performed on titanium substrates to improve the adhesion performance of paints, coatings, and adhesives. Abrasive blasting and chemical etching processes alter the physical metallurgy of surfaces so they can produce varied and uncertain effects on the fatigue life of the substrate. The fatigue life of titanium subjected to various blasting intensities and etching has been determined and statistically analyzed. The results of this work indicate that, for titanium alloys, increased aluminum oxide abrasive blasting intensities decrease fatigue life and that chemical etching also decreases fatigue life.