Fatigue is a failure mechanism caused by repeated cyclic loading that leads to cumulative damage within a material, and ultimately catastrophic failure. “Between 80% to 90% of all mechanical service failures can be attributed to Fatigue,” according to the American Society of Metals – Metals Handbook 1975 & 2008.

As one of the most common mechanical components in the world, roller elements are of critical importance. It is necessary for bearings and raceways to be carefully engineered and manufactured so that the machines which use them are as safe and stable as possible.

In the near future, critical aerospace and automotive production parts may indeed come from a 3D printer. The technology’s potential is huge, agrees ASTM Fellow Steven Daniewicz.

Fatigue testing varies greatly from application to application. Below are some of the top six examples to showcase how fatigue testing has become invaluable in a range of industries.

Since 1850 we have known that metal subjected to fluctuating stresses will fail at a stress much lower than required to cause fracture on a single quasi static pull to break.

Since its venture into 3D-printing, Ghent University has expanded into supporting new materials and manufacturing research in a variety of industries, including fatigue testing of 3D printed titanium. Its latest efforts include projects on both polymers and metals.

Aerospace manufacturers are continually striving to reduce the running costs of their components through reduced weight, improved efficiency or longer service periods, making them more attractive to their market.

Composite materials are being used in an ever-increasing variety of products and applications, as more and more industries realize the benefits that these materials offer.

We are all acquainted with the various ways that materials break when they are loaded past their limit: the brittle snap of a plastic part or the tearing of a pop top tab are the familiar results of a large overload.