Fatigue Crack Growth Rate
Fatigue crack growth rate indicates how fast a material cracks under repeated stress. It is important for predicting the service life of components.
Physical-chemical mechanism of action
Fatigue crack growth rate describes how the length of a crack in a material increases over a certain number of load cycles. This process occurs when the material is subjected to repeated stress. The rate depends on factors such as the stress amplitude and the material's hardness.
Metallurgical relevance & risks during welding
During welding, fatigue cracks can occur when the material is subjected to cyclic loading. A too high fatigue crack growth rate can lead to premature deterioration and crack formation, compromising the safety of components.
Workshop practice & procedures
To minimize fatigue crack growth rate, it is important to properly process and protect the material. This includes correct welding with the right temperature and an adequate cooling process. For critical components, special inspections should be carried out to monitor service life and crack behavior.