Beneficial Patch Repair Effect on Fatigue Crack Growth of Al-Alloy 7050

Fatigue problems become an important topic in the maintenance of aircraft structures. Efficient repair technique, called composite patch repair, was used to reinforce the damaged structures and extend the service life. In this paper, using empirical approach, the effect of composite patch repair on fatigue crack growth was investigated on 7050 aluminum alloy. In additional, loading parameters associated with patch repair (Graphite/Epoxy) was studied in order to show their influence on fatigue life and fatigue crack growth rate, namely stress ratio. Results provide an increasing in fatigue life and fatigue crack growth rate in increased stress ratio. A delayed in fatigue life and diminution of FCGRs is the results of composite patch repair. Effect of patch repair was shown highly at high stress intensity factor when maximum applied loading is kept constant.