Perspective Chapter: Fatigue of Materials

Abstract

This chapter deals with the fatigue fracture of the materials under cyclic loadings. Components of structures and machines may be subjected to cyclic loads and the resulting cyclic stress that can lead to microscopic physical damage and fracture of the materials involved. It has been seen at a stress well below the ultimate strength, this microscopic damage can accumulate under action of cyclic loadings until it develops into a crack that leads to final separation of the component. In addition, the material inherently has cracks and other microscopic defects that grow due to cyclic loads and lead to fracture of machine or structure parts. The failures are more often sudden, unpredictable and catastrophic which may occur after a short period of design life. The main objective in writing this chapter is to present scientific findings and relevant engineering practice involving materials fatigue failures.