Load controlled Fatigue testing methods can be utilized to characterize material properties or component behavior during cycling loading.  It is one of the most crucial elements of research and development, product safety and material verification programs verification programs, and is one of the tests we conduct in our Canadian fatigue testing laboratory.

A fatigue test measures how cyclic forces will affect a product or material over time, using varying loads, speeds and environmental conditions to create predictive patterns for material behavior.  While a large portion of fatigue tests are performed to plot stress (S) against the number of cycles to failure (N) (also known as an S-N curve), they can also be useful for simulating specific scenarios and investigating real-world failures.

CMTL has 10 axial fatigue test frames dedicated to load control at a temperature range from ambient to 2000°F. Configurations start at load capacities ranging from 3Kip to 55Kip.  These tests are performed in order to determine softening characteristics of the material.

During an HCF or LCF test (ASTM E466), specimens experience frequencies ranging between 0.5Hz and 60Hz, depending upon material types and environmental conditions.  Testing continues until specimen failure or until a predetermined number of cycles is achieved