4.1 Strain-controlled fatigue is a phenomenon that is influenced by the same variables that influence force-controlled fatigue. The nature of strain-controlled fatigue imposes distinctive requirements on fatigue testing methods. In particular, cyclic total strain should be measured and cyclic plastic strain should be determined. Furthermore, either of these strains typically is used to establish cyclic limits; total strain usually is controlled throughout the cycle. The uniqueness of this test method and the results it yields are the determination of cyclic stresses and strains at any time during the tests. Differences in strain histories other than constant-amplitude alter fatigue life as compared with the constant amplitude results (for example, periodic overstrains and block or spectrum histories). Likewise, the presence of nonzero mean strains and varying environmental conditions may alter fatigue life as compared with the constant-amplitude, fully reversed fatigue tests. Care must be exercised in analyzing and interpreting data for such cases. In the case of variable amplitude or spectrum strain histories, cycle counting can be performed with Practice E1049.

4.2 Strain-controlled fatigue can be an important consideration in the design of industrial products. It is important for situations in which components or portions of components undergo either mechanically or thermally induced cyclic plastic strains that cause failure within relatively few (that is, approximately <10⁵) cycles. Information obtained from strain-controlled fatigue testing may be an important element in the establishment of design criteria to protect against component failure by fatigue.

4.3 Strain-controlled fatigue test results are useful in the areas of mechanical design as well as materials research and development, process and quality control, product performance, and failure analysis. Results of a strain-controlled fatigue test program may be used in the formulation of empirical relationships between the cyclic variables of stress, total strain, plastic strain, and fatigue life. They are commonly used in data correlations such as curves of cyclic stress or strain versus life and cyclic stress versus cyclic plastic strain obtained from hysteresis loops at some fraction (often half) of material life. Examination of the cyclic stress–strain curve and its comparison with monotonic stress–strain curves gives useful information regarding the cyclic stability of a material, for example, whether the values of hardness, yield strength, ultimate strength, strain-hardening exponent, and strength coefficient will increase, decrease, or remain unchanged (that is, whether a material will harden, soften, or be stable) because of cyclic plastic straining (1).3 The presence of time-dependent inelastic strains during elevated temperature testing provides the opportunity to study the effects of these strains on fatigue life and on the cyclic stress-strain response of the material. Information about strain rate effects, relaxation behavior, and creep also may be available from these tests. Results of the uniaxial tests on specimens of simple geometry can be applied to the design of components with notches or other complex shapes, provided that the strains can be determined and multiaxial states of stress or strain and their gradients are correctly correlated with the uniaxial strain data.

1.1 This test method covers the determination of fatigue properties of nominally homogeneous materials by the use of test specimens subjected to uniaxial forces. It is intended as a guide for fatigue testing performed in support of such activities as materials research and development, mechanical design, process and quality control, product performance, and failure analysis. While this test method is intended primarily for strain-controlled fatigue testing, some sections may provide useful information for force-controlled or stress-controlled testing.

1.2 The use of this test method is limited to specimens and does not cover testing of full-scale components, structures, or consumer products.

1.3 This test method is applicable to temperatures and strain rates for which the magnitudes of time-dependent inelastic strains are on the same order or less than the magnitudes of time-independent inelastic strains. No restrictions are placed on environmental factors such as temperature, pressure, humidity, medium, and others, provided they are controlled throughout the test, do not cause loss of or change in dimension with time, and are detailed in the data report.

Note 1: The term inelastic is used herein to refer to all nonelastic strains. The term plastic is used herein to refer only to the time-independent (that is, noncreep) component of inelastic strain. To truly determine a time-independent strain the force would have to be applied instantaneously, which is not possible. A useful engineering estimate of time-independent strain can be obtained when the strain rate exceeds some value. For example, a strain rate of 1 × 10⁻³ sec⁻¹ is often used for this purpose. This value should increase with increasing test temperature.

1.4 This test method is restricted to the testing of uniform gage section test specimens subjected to axial forces as shown in Fig. 1(a). Testing is limited to strain-controlled cycling. The test method may be applied to hourglass specimens, see Fig. 1(b), but the user is cautioned about uncertainties in data analysis and interpretation. Testing is done primarily under constant amplitude cycling and may contain interspersed hold times at repeated intervals. The test method may be adapted to guide testing for more general cases where strain or temperature may vary according to application specific histories. Data analysis may not follow this test method in such cases.

FIG. 1 Recommended Low-Cycle Fatigue Specimens

Note 1: * Dimension d is recommended to be 6.35 mm [0.25 in.]. See 7.1. Centers permissible. ** This diameter may be made greater or less than 2d depending on material hardness. In typically ductile materials diameters less than 2d are often employed and in typically brittle materials diameters greater than 2d may be found desirable.

Note 2: Threaded connections are more prone to inferior axial alignment and have greater potential for backlash, particularly if the connection with the grip is not properly designed.

1.5 The values stated in either SI units or inch-pound units are to be regarded separately as standard. The values stated in each system may not be exact equivalents; therefore, each system shall be used independently of the other. Combining values from the two systems may result in non-conformance with the standard.

1.6 This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.