An improvement in the life time calculation is aspired by the characterisation of thelife time behaviour of a typically lightweight aircraft titanium alloy by describing themicrostructure. Therefore, extensive research on a Ti-6-4 fitting element has been carriedout. In addition to static tensile tests, rotating bending tests and fracture mechanicaltests, component tests with constant and variable load were performed. Simultaneously, themicrostructures of the specimens and tested components are extensively analysed at severalpoints including the lug area, as well as, the specimen’s microstructure taken out of thelower link fitting. A common consideration of life time results as well as results of themicrostructure in the life time calculation shows the possibilities for more precise lifetime estimation.
