What is a Fatigue Test?

Determining the lifespan of a material subjected to cyclic loading

A fatigue test helps determine a material’s ability to withstand cyclic fatigue loading conditions. By design, a material is selected to meet or exceed service loads that are anticipated in fatigue testing applications. Cyclic fatigue tests produce repeated loading and unloading in tension, compression, bending, torsion or combinations of these stresses. Fatigue tests are commonly loaded in tension – tension, compression – compression and tension into compression and reverse.

What is the Purpose of Fatigue Testing?

Usually the purpose of a fatigue test is to determine the lifespan that may be expected from a material subjected to cyclic loading, however fatigue strength and crack resistance are commonly sought values as well. The fatigue life of a material is the total number of cycles that a material can be subjected to under a single loading scheme. A fatigue test is also used for the determination of the maximum load that a sample can withstand for a specified number of cycles. All of these characteristics are extremely important in any industry where a material is subject to fluctuating instead of constant forces.

How to Perform a Fatigue Test?

To perform a fatigue test a sample is loaded into a fatigue tester or fatigue test machine and loaded using the pre-determined test stress, then unloaded to either zero load or an opposite load. This cycle of loading and unloading is then repeated until the end of the test is reached. The test may be run to a pre-determined number of cycles or until the sample has failed depending on the parameters of the test.

What Are the Different Types of Fatigue Tests?

There are several common types of fatigue testing as well as two common forms: load controlled high cycle and strain controlled low cycle fatigue. A high cycle test tends to be associated with loads in the elastic regime and low cycle fatigue tests generally involve plastic deformations.

What Are the Different Types of Fatigue Testing Materials?

Nearly all materials may experience fatigue in one way or another during the lifespan of their application. However, in applications where fatigue is a factor it is common to find components made from metals or composites. These materials have a higher fatigue limit than others because of the rigidity and ductility, which are characteristics that tend to increase fatigue strength. Other materials, such as, polymers, ceramics and wood may experience fatigue and also need to be tested to understand how they will respond to these unique stress combinations.


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What Are the Common Fatigue Test Standards?

ASTM C1368 Slow Crack Growth of Ceramics in Flexure
ASTM C394 Shear Fatigue - Sandwich Core Materials
ASTM D3479 Tension-Tension Fatigue of Polymer Matrix Composite Materials
ASTM D7774 Flexural Fatigue Test Equipment for Plastics
ASTM E2207 Axial-Torsional Fatigue Thin-Walled Tubular Materials Test Equipment
ASTM E2368 Thermomechanical Fatigue Test Equipment
ASTM E466 Load Controlled Constant Amplitude Fatigue Tests of Metals
ASTM E467 Constant Force Axial Fatigue Test System Test Machines
ASTM E606 Strain-Controlled High and Low Cycle Fatigue Testing
ASTM E647 Fatigue Crack Growth Test Equipment
ASTM F1717 Spinal Implant Static and Fatigue Test Equipment
ASTM F1798 Static and Fatigue Properties of Interconnection Mechanisms and Subassemblies Used in Spinal Arthrodesis Implants
ASTM F1800 Fatigue Knee Joint Replacement Test Equipment
ASTM F1820 Fatigue Test Machine Modular Acetabular Device
ASTM F2118 Fatigue Testing Equipment for Acrylic Bone Cement
ASTM F2193 Fatigue Bending Surgical Fixation Spinal Skeletal Test Equipment
ASTM F382 Flexural Fatigue Bone Plate Fixation Devices Test Equipment
ISO 14801 Fatigue Dental Implants Test Equipment
ISO 15024 Interlaminar Fracture Toughness of Plastic Composites Test Machines
ISO 22675 Fatigue ankle foot device Prosthetic Test Equipment
ISO 7206 Hip Implants Tests
NASM 1312-11 Tension Fatigue Test Procedure for Aeronautical Fasteners

What Are the Common Fatigue Test Applications?

Accelerated Fatigue Life Tests (SSALT) of Dental Implants
Aircraft Structural Testing | Equipment
Ankle Prosthetic Durability Fatigue Test System | 810-22675 Model
Ceramic Matrix Composites Fatigue Test Equipment
Dental Implant Fatigue Test Equipment
Fatigue Test Equipment for Polymer Matrix Composites
Fatigue Test Machine for Cold Environments | TestResources
Fatigue Test Machines for Honeycomb Composites
Fatigue Testing at Cryogenic Temperatures
Fatigue Testing Metal Matrix Composites
Fatigue Testing of Ceramic Matrix Composites
Fatigue Testing Spine Implants
Fatigue Testing the Tibial Tray Component
Fatigue Testing UHMWPe Tibial Bearing Components
High Cycle Fatigue (HCF) of MetalsHigh Strain Rate
High Elongation Tensile and Fatigue Test of Silicone Rubber
Hip Implant Fatigue ASTM Test Equipment per ISO 7206 | TestResources
Hip Implant Fatigue Testing Femoral Head, Stem, Acetabular Shell and Linear | TestResources
Honeycomb Composite Fatigue Test Equipment
Low Cycle Fatigue (LCF) of Metals at High Temperature
Low Force Electrodynamic Fatigue Test Machine
Metal Chain Static and Fatigue Test Application
Metal Matrix Composites Fatigue Test Equipment
Metals Fatigue Testing at High Temperatures
Rubber & Elastomer Fatigue Test Machine
Stainless Steel Fatigue Cryogenic Tests
Strain Controlled Low Cycle Fatigue Testing Equipment
Testing Rubber and Elastomeric Dynamic Vibration Isolators
Water Pressurization Fatigue Test System

What is a Fatigue Testing Machine?

Fatigue testing machines are used to determine the durability of a material, component or product, and are suitable for tensile, compression, and alternating load tests.

How Does a Fatigue Testing Machine Work?

Fatigue test machines are built to evaluate the strength of raw materials, components or finished products. Fatigue testing machines measure the force put onto the sample over many cycles until the sample fails.

How to Select a Fatigue Test Machine in 4 Easy Steps

Step 1 - Select your frame
Step 2 - Select your controller software
Step 3 - Select your accessories
Step 4 - Contact us

Start by Selecting Your Frame

Fatigue Test Machines

Choose from all-electric dynamic test machines or higher frequency servohydraulic test machines. These machines are used to determine the durability of a material, component or product, and are suitable for tensile, compression, and alternating load tests.