FATIGUE TESTS

The fatgue test determines the relative performance of metals when subjected to repeated or fluctuated loads. It is a dynamic type of test which attempts to simulate stress conditions developed in structures or machine parts by vibration and cycling loads. The stress imposed on the specimen during test continually alternates between two values, the maximum of which is usually lower than the yield strength of the material. The cycles of stress are repeatedly applied until failure of the specimen or until a limiting number of cycles has been reached. The results obtained are used to establish the fatigue strength or endurance limit of the material. The relative performance of metals is determined by comparison of fatigue strengths or endurance limits established under identical test conditions. Fatigue test may be divided into four classifications depending upon the variation of the stress cycle. The stress cycle may be reversing, alternating, repeating or fluctuating. In the reversed cycle, the stress alternates between positive (tension) and negative (compression) values of the same magnitude. The alternated cycle is one in which the stress alternates between positive and negative values of different magnitudes. In the repeated cycle, the stress alternates between zero and a positive value. The pulsated cycle is that condition where the stress alternates between two positive values of different magnitude. These variations in the stress cycle pattern may be applied in tension and compression, tension, compression, torsion or flexure. In the tension and compression, tension or compression types of tests, the stress is uniform throughout the cross section of the specimen at any point in the stress cycle. The torsion and flexure types of tests develop the maximum stress at the surface of the specimen. Tension and compression fatigue tests require axial loading type testing machines which apply pull-push, pull-pull or push-push alternating loads. Torsion fatigue tests require dynamic type testing machines which twist or load the specimen in shear. Reversed torsion fatigue tests are made by holding one end of the specimen and twisting the other end first in one direction and then in the other direction so that, in both directions, the angle of twist is the same. Bending fatigue tests are generally referred to as constant-deflection tests and may be conducted using any one of several types of testing machines. The major difference between the various types of machines is the method in which the load is applied.

Rotating beam fatigue tests are generally considered constant load type tests. In these tests, the specimen, loaded as a simple or cantilever beam, is rotated in one direction so that it is alternately stressed throughout its circumference. FATIGUE TEST RESULT: In conducting fatigue tests, several specimens are run at various loads or stress levels to determine the number of stress cycles to cause failure. These results are then plotted as a logarithmic or semi logarithmic graph in which stress (S) is the ordinate and the number of cycles (N) the abscissa. The curves obtained are generally called S-N curves. Fatigue strength generally is established as limiting stress at which failure will occur at 100,000,000 cycles. For some materials such as steel, there is a limiting stress below which failure will not occur after an infinite number of cycles of the repetitive load. This limiting stress is known as the endurance limit. It is that point on the S-N curve where the curve approaches the horizontal asymptote or becomes parallel to the abscissa scale. For steels this will occur at approximately 10,000,000 cycles of stress.

DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION:

1) During successive loading cycles, the crack propagated through the material until the amount of undamaged material was insufficient to carry the maximum load, and an abrupt, brittle failure occured. Because fatigue failure may be initiated at any crack or imperfection, the surface condition of a specimen has an important effect on the value of the endurance limit obtained in testing. Many factors as the quality of the surface of the material, corrosion, temperature, frequency, microstructure (dimension of granule, distribution of phase), internal stresses at the excessive loading, etc. affect constitution of cracking. 2) a} I think, fatigue strength of alloyed steel can be higher than low carbon steel, if necessary alloys can be added into the steel. Because corrosion resistant and temperature are important for fatigue strength and this condition can be provided with alloys. b} Fatigue strength of steels that are subjected to heat treatment, are higher than steels that are not subjected to heat treatment. If we have material that have not good surface finish, grain size and oxidized surface, fatigue strength of this material is low and these conditions can be removed with heat treatment. Because of this, fatigue strength of steel with heat treatment is higher than steel without heat treatment. 6) I would prefer the material A, because it has a endurance limit of approximately 25 kg/mm and the material will work under a stress of 20 kg/mm. At the stresses under endurance limit will be no failure, the

material will have a infinite life, in theoretical calculations. Material B will fail after 1000000 cycles.

IMPACT TEST
The impact test determines the relative performance of metals under shock or rapidly applied loads. Generally, the shock loads employed in the test are of such magnitude that they cause failure on the first impact. When the magnitude of the load is small, like that encountered in laboratory type impact machines, the specimens may be notched to facilitate failure. However, impact values obtained for notched specimens indicate only the notch resistance or notch toughness of the material.

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION:

1) The fracture surface indicated different properties at different temperatures. At above the room temperature, the material showed ductile property until 150C. Above this temperature, material absorbed less energy. a) The materials at 1,3 C and 3 C were very brittle, b) The materials at 19 C and 32 C were brittle, c) The materials at 47 C and 51 C were brittle and ductile, d) The one at 130 C was very ductile, e) The one at 260 C was brittle and a little ductile, f ) The one at 315 C was very brittle. 2) a) Both of them can be use, because they have at room temperature ductile properties, but I would prefer material A, because it has a higher rupture energy, and its life will be longer. b) For the material A -1,11C is in the transition interval and in practice we wont use materials in transition interval because they show both brittle and ductile properties. Material B is at this temperature above the transition interval and shows ductile properties. Therefore I will choose the material B.

Reference:

Basic Metallurgy (Equipment and Techniques vol.2) G. WILLIAM ZUSPAN

Energy & Temperature 22 20 18 16 14 12 10 8 6 4 2 0 0 50 Temperature 100 150

Energy (kgm)

T( C ) E(kg-m)

1,3 3 19 19 32 47 51 130 260 315 1,6 1,6 1,6 2,6 2 3,9 11,6 13,6 6,7 2,9