Initiation of fatigue cracks

Purpose and goal:

The project aims to build competence around basic fatigue behaviour in metallic materials. The problems that the project addresses originated in the research areas identified and prioritized in the project Roadmap for Mechanical Metallurgy (MEK-MET).

The goal of the project is to create a better understanding of the initiation of fatigue cracks in steel and based on this create models to describe the initiation. Expected results and effects:

The project focus is to use crystal plasticity models linked to thermodynamic and kinetic models, in order to describe and predict the initiation of fatigue cracks.

The results from the project will contribute to a better understanding of how the microstructure is affected by fatigue, and how this can be used for the prediction and optimization of fatigue properties of existing and new materials. Hence, also important tools to contribute to faster material and product development in the industry.

Approach and implementation:

The project is carried out in close collaboration between three research performers and eight industrial companies representing material manufacturers, material users and developers of products and production technology solutions. The project will be divided into parallel work packages, including micromechanical modelling of fatigue initiation, supply of test materials, mechanical testing and materials characterisation using advanced material analysis methods.

The results from the project will be disseminated through e.g. publications, workshops and seminars.