Two Practical Approaches to Minimize Fatigue Test Time 770542

REFERENCE: Maroney, G. E., and R. K. King, “Two Practical Approaches to Minimize Fatigue Test Time, Society of Automotive Engineers, Paper No. 770542, Peoria, Illinois, 20 April 1977.

This paper discusses controlling load wave forms to minimize the length of fatigue tests. Contrary to popular opinion, the entire load form - not only the load peak amplitude and range - significantly affects the fatigue life of materials. This paper compares the use of increased load peaks with shortened load time to decrease the total time of fatigue tests. Tests to failure with realistic modes of failure are discussed. An interpretation procedure is given for data obtained with short load times.