Failure Analysis of a Cracked UH-1 Tailboom Former, 

P/N 205-030-807-97 

by Scott Grendahl, Benjamin Hardisky, and Russell Yocum 

ARL-TR-3828 June 2006 

prepared by 

Scott Grendahl 

U.S. Army Research Laboratory 

Weapons and Materials Research Directorate 

Aberdeen Proving Ground, MD 21005 

Benjamin Hardisky and Russell Yocum 

U.S. Army Aberdeen Test Center 

Physical Test Unit 

Aberdeen Proving Ground, MD 21005 

for 

U.S. Army Aviation and Missile Command 

Huntsville, AL 35899 

Approved for public release; distribution is unlimited.
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Army Research Laboratory 

Aberdeen Proving Ground, MD 21005-5069 

ARL-TR-3828 June 2006 

Failure Analysis of a Cracked UH-1 Tailboom Former, 

P/N 205-030-807-97 

prepared by 

Scott Grendahl 

U.S. Army Research Laboratory 

Weapons and Materials Research Directorate 

Aberdeen Proving Ground, MD 21005 

Benjamin Hardisky and Russell Yocum 

U.S. Army Aberdeen Test Center 

Physical Test Unit 

Aberdeen Proving Ground, MD 21005 

for 

U.S. Army Aviation and Missile Command 

Huntsville, AL 35899 

Approved for public release; distribution is unlimited. 
ii

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1. REPORT DATE (DD-MM-YYYY)

June 2006 

2. REPORT TYPE 

Final 

3. DATES COVERED (From - To) 

1 January 2005–31 August 2005 

5a. CONTRACT NUMBER 

5b. GRANT NUMBER 

4. TITLE AND SUBTITLE 

Failure Analysis of a Cracked UH-1 Tailboom Former, P/N 205-030-807-97 

5c. PROGRAM ELEMENT NUMBER 

5d. PROJECT NUMBER 

M042-489Y31 

5e. TASK NUMBER 

6. AUTHOR(S) 

Scott Grendahl, Benjamin Hardisky,* and Russell Yocum*

5f. WORK UNIT NUMBER 

7. PERFORMING ORGANIZATION NAME(S) AND ADDRESS(ES) 

U.S. Army Research Laboratory U.S. Army Aberdeen Test Center 

ATTN: AMSRD-ARL-WM-MC Physical Test Unit 

Aberdeen Proving Ground, MD Aberdeen Proving Ground, MD 

21005-5069 21005 

8. PERFORMING ORGANIZATION 

 REPORT NUMBER 

ARL-TR-3828 

9. SPONSORING/MONITORING AGENCY NAME(S) AND ADDRESS(ES) 10. SPONSOR/MONITOR'S ACRONYM(S) 

U.S. Army Aviation and Missile Command 

Huntsville, AL 35899 11. SPONSOR/MONITOR'S REPORT 

 NUMBER(S) 

12. DISTRIBUTION/AVAILABILITY STATEMENT 

Approved for public release; distribution is unlimited. 

13. SUPPLEMENTARY NOTES 

*

U.S. Army Aberdeen Test Center, Physical Test Unit, Aberdeen Proving Ground, MD 21005-5069 

14. ABSTRACT 

The U.S. Army Aviation and Missile Command sent the U.S. Army Research Laboratory Weapons and Materials Research 

Directorate a UH-1 tailboom former (P/N 201030-807-97) from the U.S. Army Kwajalein Atoll Facility (USAKA) in the 

Marshall Islands for investigation. The component was being investigated due to the presence of cracks observed near bolt hole

locations on the part. This component was quality deficient report exhibit number M24H90327. The material utilized to 

manufacture the former was specified to be clad 2024-T4 aluminum alloy sheet in accordance with QQ-A-362. It was 

superseded by QQ-A-250/5B, which was subsequently cancelled, and superseded by the current specification for clad 2024-T4 

aluminum sheet, SAE-AMS-QQ-A-250-5. The part was characterized through nondestructive inspection, chemical analysis, 

optical microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and mechanical testing. 

15. SUBJECT TERMS

failure analysis, 9310 steel, fatigue, helicopter gear 

16. SECURITY CLASSIFICATION OF: 

19a. NAME OF RESPONSIBLE PERSON

Scott Grendahl 

a. REPORT 

UNCLASSIFIED 

b. ABSTRACT 

UNCLASSIFIED

c. THIS PAGE 

UNCLASSIFIED

17. LIMITATION 

OF ABSTRACT 

UL 

18. NUMBER 

OF PAGES 

30 

19b. TELEPHONE NUMBER (Include area code) 

410-306-0819 

Standard Form 298 (Rev. 8/98) 

Prescribed by ANSI Std. Z39.18
iii

Contents 

List of Figures iv

List of Tables iv

1. Introduction 1

2. Fluorescent Penetrant Inspection and Eddy Current Testing 2

3. Visual Inspection and Light Optical Microscopy 3

4. Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) 6

5. Metallography 12

6. Chemical Analysis 15

7. Hardness and Conductivity Testing 15

8. Coating System 15

9. Failure Scenario 16

10. Conclusions 19

Distribution List 20 
iv

List of Figures 

Figure 1. As-received component UH-1 tailboom former..............................................................1 

Figure 2. Fluorescent indication of the crack on side A. ................................................................2 

Figure 3. Fluorescent indication of the crack on side B. ................................................................3 

Figure 4. One half of the fracture surface of the crack on side A...................................................4 

Figure 5. Fractograph of one half of the fracture surface. ..............................................................4 

Figure 6. Fractograph of the corrosion initiation site on side A. ....................................................5 

Figure 7. Fractograph of the corrosion initiation site on side A at 45°...........................................5 

Figure 8. Fractograph of the corrosion initiation site on side B. ....................................................6 

Figure 9. Fractograph of the corrosion initiation site on side B at 45°...........................................7 

Figure 10. Fractograph of the origin near the center of the crack...................................................7 

Figure 11. SEM fractograph of the whole crack on one fracture half. ...........................................8 

Figure 12. Transgranular fatigue to ductile overload transition zone.............................................8 

Figure 13. Fractograph of the origin area on side A.......................................................................9 

Figure 14. Fractograph of the origin area at 45° on side A. ...........................................................9 

Figure 15. Higher magnification image of the large corrosion pit on side A. ..............................10 

Figure 16. Fractograph of the origin area on side B. ....................................................................10 

Figure 17. Fractograph of the origin area at 45° on side B...........................................................11 

Figure 18. SEM micrograph of the center fatigue initiation site. .................................................11 

Figure 19. SEM micrograph of the center fatigue initiation site at 45°........................................12 

Figure 20. Longitudinal cross section showing the cladding of the 2024-T4 alloy......................13 

Figure 21. Transverse cross section showing the cladding of the 2024-T4 alloy.........................13 

Figure 22. Longitudinal microstructure of the 2024-T4 alloy. .....................................................14 

Figure 23. Transverse microstructure of the 2024-T4 alloy. ........................................................14 

Figure 24. Former compared with a golden yellow chromate conversion coated component. ....17 

Figure 25. Exterior surface of the tailboom former coated with MIL-P-23377. ..........................17 

Figure 26. Corrosion pitting band near edge of crevice compression line. ..................................18 

Figure 27. Pits adjacent to the edge of the fracture.......................................................................18 

Figure 28. Pitting and corrosion product along the edge of compression line. ............................19 
v

List of Tables 

Table 1. Chemical composition of the tailboom former, weight percent. ....................................15 
vi

INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK. 
1

1. Introduction 

The U.S. Army Aviation and Missile Command sent the U.S. Army Research Laboratory 

Weapons and Material Research Directorate a UH-1 tailboom former (P/N 201030-807-97) from 

the U.S. Army Kwajalein Atoll facility (USAKA) in the Marshall Islands for investigation. The 

component was being investigated due to the presence of cracks observed near bolt hole 

locations on the part. This component was quality deficiency report exhibit number 

M24H90327. The material utilized to manufacture the former was specified to be clad 2024-T4 

aluminum alloy sheet IAW QQ-A-362. QQ-A-362 is a very old cancelled specification. No 

copies of that specification could be recovered. It was superseded by QQ-A-250/5B, which was 

subsequently cancelled, and superseded by the current specification for clad 2024-T4 aluminum 

sheet, SAE-AMS-QQ-A-250-5. The part was characterized through nondestructive inspection, 

chemical analysis, optical microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and mechanical testing. 

Figure 1 depicts the as-received tailboom former from USAKA. 

The objective of this work was to determine the root cause of the cracking observed on the UH-1 

tailboom former (P/N 205-030-807-97). 

Figure 1. As-received component UH-1 tailboom former. 

 Side A 

 Side B 
2

2. Fluorescent Penetrant Inspection and Eddy Current Testing 

The penetrant materials included ZL-37 post emulsifiable hydrophilic penetrant (sensitivity 

level 4), ZR-10B remover (slow acting), and ZP-9F developer. This inspection was performed in 

accordance with MIL-STD-271F(SH),1 MIL-STD-6866B,2

 and ASTM E-165.3 Penetrant 

inspection dwell times were doubled, the emulsifier times were reduced by 25%, and the 

developer dwell time was increased to 12 min to increase the possibility of detecting extremely 

tight flaws. The eddy current inspection utilized an Automation Industries 6300 eddy current 

unit, a 500-kHz shielded absolute pancake probe, 1/8-in diameter pencil, 500-kHz shielded 

absolute pancake probe 1/4-in diameter (spring loaded), and a Zetek aluminum electric discharge 

machine block. 

A 2.69-cm indication was noted on side A of the as-received image in figure 1. The crack can be 

observed at a higher magnification in figure 2. The ECI revealed the approximate depth ranged 

from 0.020 to 0.04 in and the width ranged from 0.003 to 0.005 in. No penetrant bleed through 

was noted on the inside face of the former (paint was not removed from the inside, concave 

surface). 

Figure 2. Fluorescent indication of the crack on side A.

 1

MIL-STD-271F(SH). Requirements for Nondestructive Testing Methods 1986. 

2

MIL-STD-6866B. Inspection, Liquid Penetrant 1985. 

3

ASTM E-165. Standard Test Method for Liquid Penetrant Examination. Annu. Book ASTM Stand. 2002. 
3

An extremely faint 3.50-cm indication was noted on side B of the as-received image in figure 1. 

The crack can be observed at a higher magnification in figure 3. The ECI revealed that the depth 

ranged from 0.020 to 0.040 in and the maximum width was 0.005 in. The eddy current 

measurements were approximate, as the proximity to the edge made the inspection difficult. No 

penetrant bleed through was noted on the inside face of the former (paint was not removed from 

inside concave surface). 

Figure 3. Fluorescent indication of the crack on side B. 

3. Visual Inspection and Light Optical Microscopy 

The tailboom former was inspected visually and with light optical microscopy. Two cracks were 

observed, one near the hole on side A, and the other near the hole on side B. The proximity of 

the crack to the hole was ~0.75 inches in each case. The crack on side A was opened 

mechanically for fractographic examination. The opened crack is shown in figure 4, with the 

origins labeled in red. One half of the fracture surface is shown in figure 5. This crack had three 

distinct origins. Two of the origins were corrosion pits initiating on the concave side. The 

corrosion initiation site on side A can be observed in figures 6 and 7 (figure 7 depicts a 45° tilt). 

There were three small corrosion pits in this area, so the initiation site was actually a region 

rather than a specific point. The largest of the corrosion pits appeared to be ~0.005 in deep. The
4

Pitting Band 

Edge of 

compression line 

Figure 4. One half of the fracture surface of the crack on side A. 

Figure 5. Fractograph of one half of the fracture surface. 
5

Figure 6. Fractograph of the corrosion initiation site on side A. 

Figure 7. Fractograph of the corrosion initiation site on side A at 45°.
6

corrosion initiation site on side B can be observed in figures 8 and 9 (figure 9 depicts a 45° tilt). 

Crack arrest lines (beach marks) and chevron patterns were observable on the fracture surface 

near these origins. The third origin was fatigue initiated at a surface imperfection unrelated to 

corrosion, but also on the concave side of the component. This initiation site can be observed in 

figure 10. The crack progression spread out symmetrically from these three points to form a 

final crack length of 1.25 in, as observed in figure 5. It was apparent that the cracks joined 

together and propagated entirely through the 0.050-in thickness of the tailboom former. 

4. Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) 

SEM, utilizing a JEOL-JSM 6460-LV, was performed to investigate the fracture surfaces in 

greater detail. The fracture surface of the opened crack is depicted in the electron fractograph in 

figure 11. The total crack length measured 1.25 in. At closer inspection, evidence of cyclic 

fatigue crack propagation was present (figure 12). Fatigue progression lines can easily be 

observed (this is the transition region at the end of the crack between transgranular fracture and 

ductile overload). The fracture morphology was transgranular throughout the cracked region. 

The origin area on side A is depicted in figure 13 and at 45° in figure 14. A higher magnification 

image of the large corrosion pit on side A is shown in figure 15. The origin area on side B is 

depicted in figure 16 and at 45° in figure 17. The third initiation site can be observed in 

figures 18 and 19. All the origins were on the concave side of the part. 

Figure 8. Fractograph of the corrosion initiation site on side B.
7

Figure 9. Fractograph of the corrosion initiation site on side B at 45°. 

Figure 10. Fractograph of the origin near the center of the crack. 
8

Figure 11. SEM fractograph of the whole crack on one fracture half. 

Figure 12. Transgranular fatigue to ductile overload transition zone. 
9

Figure 13. Fractograph of the origin area on side A. 

Figure 14. Fractograph of the origin area at 45° on side A.
10

Figure 15. Higher magnification image of the large corrosion pit on side A. 

Figure 16. Fractograph of the origin area on side B.
11

Figure 17. Fractograph of the origin area at 45° on side B. 

Figure 18. SEM micrograph of the center fatigue initiation site.
12

Figure 19. SEM micrograph of the center fatigue initiation site at 45°. 

5. Metallography 

Longitudinal and transverse (to the sheet rolling direction) cross sections were 

metallographically prepared. The sections were ground and polished through 0.025-μm 

noncolloidal silica. Subsequently, the specimen was etched with Keller’s reagent. The 

microstructure of the tailboom former material was found to be consistent with clad 2024-T4 

aluminum alloy. The cladding can be observed in the longitudinal and transverse direction in 

figures 20 and 21. The precipitates were determined to be CuMgAl2, Cu2MnAl20, and Cu2FeAl7. 

The smaller precipitates formed during the annealing process, while the larger precipitates were 

undissolved from the solutionizing treatment. No abnormalities were observed. Representative 

photos of both the longitudinal and transverse cross sections are observable in figures 22 and 23, 

respectively. 
13

Mil-P-23377 

Cladding 

2024-T4 

Substrate 

Figure 20. Longitudinal cross section showing the cladding of the 2024-T4 alloy. 

Mil-P-23377 

Cladding 

2024-T4 

Substrate 

Figure 21. Transverse cross section showing the cladding of the 2024-T4 alloy. 
14

Figure 22. Longitudinal microstructure of the 2024-T4 alloy. 

Figure 23. Transverse microstructure of the 2024-T4 alloy.
15

6. Chemical Analysis 

The chemical composition of the tailboom former was analyzed with direct current plasma 

emission spectroscopy (DC plasma). The sample was sectioned from an area adjacent to the bolt 

hole where the cracks were located. The results are listed, along with the chemical composition 

requirements as required by the engineering drawing in table 1. The chemical constituency of 

the component compared favorably with the specified requirements in SAE-AMS-QQ-A-250-5. 

Table 1. Chemical composition of the tailboom former, weight percent. 

Element Former 

(%) 

SAE-AMS-QQ-A-250-5 

(%) 

Iron 0.24 0.50 max 

Manganese 0.49 0.30–0.90 

Silicon 0.090 0.50 max 

Copper 4.34 3.8–4.9 

Zinc 0.089 0.25 max 

Magnesium 1.41 1.20–1.80 

Chromium 0.016 0.10 max 

Titanium 0.025 0.15 max 

Gallium 0.011 0.05 max 

Vanadium 0.030 0.05 max 

Nickel 0.012 0.05 max 

Aluminum Remainder Remainder 

7. Hardness and Conductivity Testing 

Hardness and conductivity measurements were made near the cracked areas on the outside 

surface of the tailboom former. The hardness of the component measured 45.0 HRA, (measured 

153 HV) and the conductivity measured 31.0% IACS. These values compared favorably with 

typical clad aluminum 2024-T4 alloy. 

8. Coating System 

Since the apparent cause of failure of this component was fatigue initiated at corrosion pits, the 

coating system itself was investigated. The coating system for the tailboom former was required 

to be chromate conversion coating (golden yellow to brown) with one coat of MIL-P-23377, type 

II primer (applied per MIL-C-53072) in accordance with the Spares TDP 205-030-807 and Bell 

Helicopter Specification BPS 4182. The MIL-P-23377 was chemically removed so the chromate 
16

conversion coating could be visually inspected. There was no visible golden yellow to brown 

chromate conversion under the primer. Two important notes accompany this fact. The first is 

contingent upon the age of the component; the golden yellow to brown color can fade over time 

as it is meant to be sacrificial. The second is simply that a clear coat chromate conversion 

treatment (not in accordance with the specification) would not be visible. So the case exists that 

either the chromate coating has degraded over time or it was never applied correctly when the 

part was manufactured. The primer itself contains chromates so chemical analysis of the surface 

proved futile. A comparison of the exterior surface of the former with the primer removed vs. a 

golden yellow chromate conversion coated component is presented in figure 24. The typical 

exterior surface of the primed coating can be observed in figure 25. This figure also includes the 

crack prior to it being opened. The coating system can be observed in cross sections in figures 

20 and 21. The primer measured ~0.001 in thick and was within the 0.0008–0.0012-in 

requirement. The chromate chemical conversion coating is usually just a dip process, and while 

it leaves a chemical signature, it cannot be observed in a cross section. The MIL-P-23377 

coating was intact, relatively undamaged, and appeared uniform and consistent in application. 

The tailboom former mates with a larger section of a tailboom, and the cracks were within this 

compressed section forming a crevice. The primer was not marred or worn, just uniformly 

compressed from the assembly. The edge of this compression can be observed in figure 25. 

There appeared to be a band of corrosion pitting of various sizes and depths extending to 

~0.150 in from the edge of the crevice formed by the assembly. This band can be observed in 

figure 26. Examples of the corrosion pits adjacent to the fracture are depicted in figures 27 and 

28. The largest pit observed was estimated to be 0.004 inches deep and 0.005 inches in diameter. 

It is important to note that the pits in figure 27 were fully and completely painted over; the paint 

conformed to the pit surface topography. Therefore, the pits did not form under the paint; they 

existed immediately prior to the last painting. They either formed during service within the 

crevice or during overhaul processing. They were not found all about the exterior surfaces, so it 

is more likely that they formed within the crevice during service. 

9. Failure Scenario 

The tailboom former failed by a fatigue mechanism initiated at corrosion pits. These pits likely 

developed over time either from damage induced during overhaul or within the natural crevice 

formed by the tailboom former and its mating component in the assembly. Pits were observed 

both with paint covering them and inactive, and recently active and corroding. It is likely that 

some of the pitting corrosion was missed during overhaul and paint was reapplied over them. 
17

Figure 24. Former compared with a golden yellow chromate conversion coated component. 

Edge of 

compression line 

Figure 25. Exterior surface of the tailboom former coated with MIL-P-23377. 
18

Edge of 

compression line 

Pitting Band 

Figure 26. Corrosion pitting band near edge of crevice compression line. 

Edge of 

compression line 

Edge of Fracture 

Largest pit 

observed 

Figure 27. Pits adjacent to the edge of the fracture. 
19

Edge of 

compression line 

Figure 28. Pitting and corrosion product along the edge of compression line. 

10. Conclusions 

• The UH-1 tailboom former exhibited cracking near both of the bolt hole locations. The 

crack on side A (figure 1) was a through-thickness crack propagating entirely through the 

0.050-in thickness of the component. The overall crack length was 1.25 in. The crack on 

side B was similar, and its overall crack length was 1.3 in. 

• The cracks initiated and propagated by a fatigue mechanism at several corrosion pits 

located on the underside (or concave side) of the component. These shallow corrosion pits 

(0.005 in maximum) acted as stress concentration sites to initiate the cracking. The 

proximity of the bolt holes, ~0.75 in away, where the tailboom former would be held fast in 

the assembly, further contributed to the cracking in this area. 

• The tailboom former appeared to be fabricated from a clad aluminum 2024-T4 alloy sheet. 

All chemical, physical, and mechanical testing performed was in agreement with this 

finding. 

• No microstructural abnormalities were observed. The microstructure was consistent with 

clad aluminum 2024-T4 alloy sheet. 
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