Estimation of critical fatigue conditions based on the accelerated fatigue Locati method by mean of net damage

Abstract

The increasing utilization of short fiber-reinforced thermoplastics, due to their advantageous mechanical properties and manufacturing convenience, has led to their application in areas traditionally dominated by metals. This shift underscores the importance of understanding the fatigue behavior of these materials. This study evaluates the fatigue behavior of short fiber-reinforced thermoplastics through three characterization methods: continuous fatigue, interrupted fatigue, and the Locati method, with the latter serving as a novel approach for estimating critical fatigue conditions from a single specimen. Continuous fatigue testing provides the baseline for comparison. The effect of load interruption is explored through the interrupted fatigue method. The Locati method, characterized by incrementally increasing load steps until failure, offers a significant benefit by enabling the estimation of critical fatigue conditions efficiently. This research aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of the fatigue behavior of short fiber-reinforced thermoplastics, contributing to the optimization of their use in engineering applications.