Engineering Question about the safety factor for a shaft diameter

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In designing a turbine shaft, a safety factor of 3 is required for a shaft subjected to 710W, 13.6NM, and 500RPM. The discussion revolves around selecting the appropriate strength value for Aluminium 6061, with options including tensile strength, yield strength, shear strength, and fatigue strength. The consensus is to use the yield strength of 48 MPa, as exceeding this value would lead to permanent deformation, compromising the shaft's functionality. The ultimate tensile strength is acknowledged but deemed unsuitable for design purposes. Selecting the yield strength ensures the shaft remains within safe operational limits.
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Hello,

So we are designing a turbine. We have a shaft that receives 710W / 13.6NM / 500RPM from the runner and we are going to find a diameter with safety factor of 3.
Take the following information regarding metal:
Aluminium 6061
Tensile strength115 MPa
Yield strength48 MPa
Shear strength83 MPa
Fatigue strength62 MPa
i know F.O.S = Max load / Load applied.

Still i can't wrap my mind around which of those i should use. First thought is going with the 48 MPA yield since aluminium is ductile?

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Any thoughts? I am so confused...
 
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I would agree with you on that. Once you surpass the yield strength you enter the "plastic region" of the stress-strain curve. This means that once the load is released the metal will not return to its original dimensions, and therefore no longer function as designed.

I think what the chart is referring to as "tensile strength" is also called "ultimate strength". This value is way into the plastic region and you would not want the shaft to reach this value.
 
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Thank you.Yes, its the ultimate strength... But it makes sense to me to chose the yield value.
Regards
 
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