Characterisation of the Fatigue Behaviour of Metallic Materials beyond Mechanical Stress–Strain Measurements

Dear Colleagues,

To develop a better understanding of microstructural processes occurring in metallic materials under fatigue loading, it is necessary to trace and analyse the cyclic deformation behaviour by means of different quantities. From a classical point of view, mechanical stress–strain hysteresis measurements are used for this purpose, although this method reaches its resolution limit especially when only small fatigue damages are considered. In recent years, several further measurement techniques have been established, which are based on, e.g., temperature, electrical resistance, or magnetics. These techniques can also detect small microstructural changes in the material; whether this is measured in the volume or in the near-surface area depends, on one hand, on the measuring technique and, on the other hand, on the specific measuring parameters. This not only enables a better understanding regarding damage evolution in the material, but also a more reliable and operationally safe component design based on this information.

The use of further and, above all, complementary measurement techniques and methods is also supported by the fact that there have been further developments in the field of sensor technology in recent years in particular, as a result of which many smaller and, above all, cheaper sensors and sensor arrays have been developed that can provide information that can be related to damage and damage evolution.

This results in extensive added value for the understanding of materials, especially if it is possible to link the signal changes with the material mechanisms.

Within the scope of the SI “Characterisation of the Fatigue Behaviour of Metallic Materials beyond Mechanical Stress–Strain Measurements”, different methods and procedures for characterising the cyclic material behaviour of metallic materials are to be presented and discussed, thereby summarising and making accessible both the state of the art and new developments and findings.

Prof. Dr. Peter Starke
Guest Editor

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• cyclic deformation behaviour
• fatigue damage evolution
• crack propagation
• characterisation of microstructural changes
• nondestructive testing
• steels and steel alloys
• metals and metal alloys
• constant amplitude tests
• load increase tests
• service loading
• structural durability
• influence of environmental conditions
• influence of loading conditions