Assessment of Fatigue Lifetime and Characterization of Fatigue Crack Behavior of Aluminium Scroll Compressor Using C-Specimen

Abstract

Currently, a scroll compressor is used in many industrial fields; hence, research on its reliability is important. The major loading type during operation is pressure. However, unexpected contact between scroll compressors typically occurs, and thus, the severe loading condition should be considered. To consider this condition, the study modified the scroll compressor’s structure to a C-type specimen. The study applied cyclic axial load in the specimen. The main objective of the study is to define a proper fatigue life method for the aluminium scroll compressor and proper finite element method (FEM) modeling. To define the method, the study included a case study for various parameters, such as mean stress effects. Furthermore, a crack propagation study is presented. In the study, the Darveaux method that considers the Bauschinger effect of ductile material is used. It is expected that the consideration of the parameters can help define the fatigue life assessment of an aluminium scroll compressor.

Keywords

• life assessment
• crack initiation
• crack propagation
• finite element method
• scroll compressor