Fatigue Fracture
Vibration fracture is a failure of materials under repeated mechanical stress, where cracks continuously propagate and the material can progressively break.
Physical-chemical mechanism of action
Fatigue fracture occurs when a material is subjected to cyclic mechanical loads (such as vibrations or alternating stresses). The microscopic cracks in the material grow with each load cycle and eventually lead to the material breaking, often without visible macroscopic deformation before failure.
Metallurgical relevance & risks in welding
Fatigue fracture can occur in weld areas, especially under high-frequency loading. It leads to sudden and often unpredictable material failure, which is particularly dangerous for components under heavy loads such as in machinery or aircraft.
Workshop practice & instructions
To avoid fatigue fracture, you should pay attention to the mechanical loading when selecting materials and when welding. Under high-frequency loading, it is advisable to use materials with good cyclic plasticity or special welding processes (such as hardening agents). The cooling rate and the microstructure of the weld should be controlled so that no hard, brittle phases form.