,1 nT~J

1
Designation: E 466 - 96 (Reapproved 2oo2t
cw
INffltlllA TfONAL

Standard Practice for ·d C stant Amplitude Axial

Conducting Force Controlle on 1
Fatigue Tests of Metallic Materials
. , . the designation indicates the year of
10 11 owing fI t roval A
· E 466 11 · ti · number immcdrntelyin parentheses indicates the year O as reapp ·
TI1is stnndnrd is issued under the fixed Jesig11111,un " ' ie, . A number
st s
originnl ndoption or. in the case or revision. the year '. r In revi ion . . . r re·ipproval.
1
. . . . .·, 1 c.11 ,.111 gc ·smcc the Inst rcv1s1on o •
, 111011,1
su1x·[Link] epsilon (E) 111d1cntcs 1111 c,

2
EI Norn-Sectio n .t 1.1 was editorially updated in June 200 ,

E 739 Practice for Statistical A~alys_is of Linear _or Linear.

1. Scope ized Stress-Life (S-N) and Stram-Lif e (e-~ Fatigue Da1as
1.1 This practice covers the procedure for th~ perform~nce E 1012 Practice for Verification of Specimen Alignment
of axial force controlled fatigue tests to obtam the fatigue Under Tensile Loadings
strength of metallic materials in the fatigue regime where the E 1823 Terminology Relating to Fatigue and Fracture Test-
strain~ are predominately elastic, both upon initial loading_and ings
throughout the test. This practice is limited to the fatigue
testing of axial unnotched and notched specimens subjected to 3. Terminology
a constant an1plitude, periodic forcing function in air at room 3.1 Definitions:
temperature. This practice is not intended for application in 3 .1.1 The terms used in this practice shall be as defined in
axial fatigue tests of components or parts. Terminology E 1823.
NoTE I-The following documents, although not directly referenced in
the text, are considered important enough to be listed in this practice: 4. Significance and Use
E 739 Practice for Statistical Analysis of Linear or Linearized Stress- 4.1 The axial force fatigue test is used to detennine the
Life (S-N) and Strain-Life (e-N) Fatigue Data effect of variations in material, geometry, surface condition,
2
STP 566 Handbook of Fatigue Testing
stress, and so forth, on the fatigue resistance of metallic
STP 588 Manual on Statistical Planning and Analysis for Fatigue
Experiments 3 materials subjected to direct stress for relatively large numbe!l
STP 731 Tables for Estimating Median Fatigue Limits
4
of cycles. The results may also be used as a guide for the
selection of metallic materials for service under conditions of
2. Referenced Documents repeated direct stress.
2.1 ASTM Standards: 4.2 In order to verify that such basic fatigue data generated
E 3 Practice for Preparation of Metallographic Specimenss using this practice is comparab le, reproducible, and correlated
E 467 Practice for Verification of Constant Amplitude Dy- among laboratories, it may be advantage ous to conduct a
namic Forces in an Axial Fatigue Testing Systems round-robin-type test program from a statistician's point of
E 468 Practice for Presentation of Constant Amplitude Fa- view. To do so would require the control or balance of what are
tigue Test Results for Metallic Materialss often deemed nuisance variables; for example, hardness, clean-
E 606 Practice for Strain-Controlled Fatigue Testings liness, grain size, composition, directionality, surface residual
stress, surface finish, and so forth. Thus, when embarking on a
program of this nature it is essential to define and maintain
' This practice is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee E08 on Fatigue and
Fracture and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee EOS.05 on Cyclic
consistency a priori, as many variables as reasonably possible,
Deformation and Fatigue Crack Fonnati on. with as much economy as prudent. All material variables,
Current edition approved May I 0, 2002. Published June 2002. Originally testing information, and procedure s used should be reported so
published as E 466 - 72 T. Last previous edition E 466 - 95.
2
Handbook of Fatigue Testing, ASTM STP 566, ASTM, 1974.
that correlation and reproducibility of results may be attempted
t
3
Little, R. E., Manual 011 Statistical Pla1111i11g and Analysi.l', ASTM STP 588, in a fashion that is considered reasonably good current teS
ASTM , 1975. practice.
4
Little, R. E., Tables for Estimating Median Fatigue limits, ASTM STP 731,
ASTM, 1981.
5
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 03.01 .

PA 19428-2959, United States.

Copyright @ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken,

528
►
~ E466
.3 The results _of the axial force fatigu~ test are suitable for [Link] Specimens with tangentially blended fillets between
4
'l jjcntion t~ design onl~ when t~~ spec11nen test conditions the test section and the ends (Fig. I). The diameter of the test
•PP . ·ticallY simulate service condtt1ons or some methodol ogy section should preferably be between 0.200 in. (5.08 mm) and
,ell 1I~ • • • .
1
• , ccounting tor service cond1t1ons is available and clearly 1.000 in. (25.4 mm). To ensure test section failure, the grip
of ,l
defined. cross-sectional area should be at least 1.5 times but, preferably
for most materials and specimens, at least four times the test
s. specimen Design . section area. The blending fillet radius should be at least eight
5_1 The type of spec11nen used will depend on the objective times the test section diameter to minimize the theoretical
of the test program, the_type _of equipment, the equipment stress concentration factor, K, of the specimen. The test section
, p•icity. and the .fonn hm which the material is available . . length should be approximately two to three times the test
~ ' d
1-1owever. the eSign s ould meet certain general criteria section diameter. For tests run in compression, the length of the
0
utlined below: test section should be approximately two times the test section
5.1. I The design of the specimen should be such that failure diameter to minimize buckling.
occurs in the test section (r~duced area as shown in Fig. I and [Link] Specimens with a continuous radius between ends
Fig. 2). The acceptable ratto ~f th~ _areas (test section to grip (Fig. 3). The radius of curvature should be no less than eight
ection) to ensure a test section failure is dependent on the times the minimum diameter of the test section to minimize K,
:pecimen gripping_ method .. Threaded end specimens may . The reduced section length should be greater than three times
prove diffi~ult to ahgn ~d f~lure ~ften i~itiates at these stress the minimum test section diameter. Otherwise, the same
concentrations when testing m the hfe regime of interest in this
dimensional relationships should apply, as in the case of the
practice. A cavea~ is given regarding the gage section with
specimens described in 5.2. l. l.
sharp edges (that 1s, square or rectangular cross section) since
these are inherent weaknesses because the slip of the grains at 5.2.2 Rectangular Cross Sections-Specimens with rectan-
sharp edges is not confined by neighboring grains on two sides. gular cross sections may be made from sheet or plate material
Because of this, a circular cross section may be preferred if and may have a reduced test cross section along one dimen-
material fonn lends itself to this configuration. The size of the sion, generally the width, or they may be made from material
gripped end relative to the gage section, and the blend radius requiring dimensional reductions in both width and thickness.
from gage section into the grip section, may cause premature In view of this, no maximum ratio of area (grip to test section)
failure particularly if fretting occurs in the grip section or if the should apply. The value of 1.5 given in [Link] may be
radius is too small. Readers are referred to Ref (1) should this considered as a guideline. Otherwise, the sections may be
occur. either of two types:
5.1.2 For the purpose of calculating the force to be applied [Link] Specimens with tangentially blended fillets between
10 obtain the required stress, the dimensions from which the the uniform test section and the ends (Fig. 4). The radius of the
area is calculated should be measured to the nearest 0.001 in. blending fillets should be at least eight times the specimen test
(0.03 mm) for dimensions equal to or greater than 0.200 in. section width to minimize K, of the specimen. The ratio of
(5.08 mm) and to the nearest 0.0005 in. (0.013 mm) for specimen test- section width to thickness should be between two
dimensions less than 0.200 in. (5.08 mm). Surfaces intended to and six; and the reduced area should preferably be between
be parallel and straight should be in a manner consistent with 0.030 in.2 (19.4 mm2 ) and 1.000 in.2 (645 mm2), except in
8.2. extreme cases where the necessity of sampling a product with
an unchanged surface makes the above restrictions impractical.
NoTE 2-Measurements of dimensions presume smooth surface fin-
ishes for the specimens. In the case of surfaces that are not smooth, due The test section length should be approximately two to three
lo the fact that some surface treatment or condition is being studied, the times the test section width of the specimen. For specimens
dimensions should be measured as above and the average, maximum, and that are less than 0.100 in. (2.54 mm) thick, special precautions
minimum values reported. are necessary particularly in reversed loading, R = -1. For
5.2 Specimen Dimensions: example, specimen alignment is of utmost importance and the
5.2.1 Circular Cross Sections-Specimens with circular procedure outlined in Practice E 606 would be advantageous.
cross sections may be either of two types: Also, Refs (2-5), although they pertain to strain-controlled

R R

FIG. 1 Specimens with Tangentially Blending Fillets Between the Test Section and the Ends

529
 0E466

I
t
- -- w

t
-- - -&
Jrl+
nd
FIG. 2 Specimens with Continuous Radius Between E s

R
I

FIG. 3 Specimens with a Continuous Radius Between Ends

- ------ w ------ --

FIG. 4 Specimens with Tangentially ijlending Fillets Between the Uniform Test Section and the Ends

testing, may prove of interest :since they deal with sheet considered when selecting the method of preparation. Appen-
specimens approximately 0.05 in. (1.25 mm) thick. dix XI presents an example of a machining procedure that has
[Link] Specimens with continuous radius between· ends been employed on some metals in an attempt to minimize the
(Fig. 2). The same restrictions should apply in the case of this variability of machining and heat treatment upon fatigue life.
type of specimen as for the specimen described in [Link]. The 6.2 Once a technique has been established and approved for
area restrictions should be the same as for the . specimen a specific material and test specimen configuration, change
described in 5.2.2. l. should ~ot be made because of potential bias that may be
5.2.3 Notched Specimens--,-In view of the specialized nature introduced by the changed technique. Regardless of the ma·
of the test programs involving notched specimens, no restric- chining, grinding, or polishing method used, the final metal
tio1,1s are placed on the design of the notched specimen, other removal should be in a direction approximately parallel to the
than that it must be consistent with the objectives of the long axis of the specimen. This entire procedure should be
program. Also, specific notched geometry, notch tip radius, clearly explained in the reporting since it is known to influence
information on the associated Kr for the notch, and the method fatigue behavior in the long life regime.
and source of its determination should be reported. 6.3 The effects to be most avoided are fillet undercutting
~nd residual stresses introduced by specimen machining prac·
6. Specimen Preparation t1ces. O~e exception may be where these parameters are under
6.1 The condition of the test specimen and the method of s_tudy. Fillet undercutting can be readily determined by inspec·
specimen preparation are of the u~ost importance. Impr~per tion. A~surance that surface residual stresses are minimized can
methods of preparation can greatly bias the test results. In view ?e ach_i~ved by careful control of the machining procedures. It
of this fact, the method of preparation should be agreed. upon is advis~ble t? detennine these surface residual stresses witb
prior to the beginning of the test program by both_the orig~ator X-ray diffraction ~ak shift or similar techniques and the v~ue
and the user of the fatigue data to be generated. Smee specimen of the su~ac~ residual stress reported along with the direcnon
preparation can strongly influence the resulting fatigue data, of determmat1on (that is, lonoitudinal tr dial and so
forth). c,• , ansverse, ra ,
the application or end use of that data, or both, should be

530

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 0E4 66
StoroRe- Sp~cimens thnt nre s~bjcct to corrosion in 8.2 Ali!(nmenr Verification- To minimize bending stresses
4
(1. npen1ture air should be accordmgly protected. prefe .
(strains), specimen fixtures should be aligned such that t~e
r<)(l . ,111 inert med'mm. 1'11c storage
111 1c1 . .
1)1111 • • •
mcchum should oencrallr major axis of the specimen closely coincides with the load axis
nil rc11tO vcd before [Link] usmg appropriate solvent C,s ·, f . e .y
' •, 11 C· throughout each cycle. It is important that the accura~y of
1,c without adverse effects upon the life of the siJccimens
c\~n.-Y·5 /,rspertro. n- y t~· uaI _m. speclton
. .
s with unaided eyes or .. alignment be kept consiste nt from specimen to spec1~en.
Alignment should be checked by means of a trial t_e~t specimen
. ·· 1 w power magmfieat1on up to 20X should be conducted
111th 0 · with longitudinal strain gages placed at four equ1d1stant ~oca-
1 nil spec1111en s.· Obv1·11us abnornrn
· 1·111es,
· such ns cracks. tions around the minimum diameter. The trial test specimen
,,n chining marks, gouges, undercut s, and so forth, arc noL should be turned about its axis, installed, and checked for each
11
1 n table. Specimens should be cleaned prior to testinu
ncccP . . d with of four orientations within the fix tures. The bending stresses
cl . o
solvcnt~s) nonmJur~us ~.n . non_ et~ement ul to the mec~rnnicnl (strains) so determined should be limited to less than 5 % of the
rties of l11e matenal 111 01cle1 to remove any surlace oil
~:~ fingerprints, and so fort.h .. Dimensional analysis and
greater of the range. maximum or minimum stresses (strains),
imposed during any test program. For specimens having a
. spection should be conducted 111 a manner that will not
1 uniform gage length, it is advisabl e to place a similar set of
~ :t,ly mark, scratch, gouge, score, or alter the surface
v,s, of the gages at two or three axial positions within the gage section.
spc cin1en. One set of strain gages should be placed at the center of the
gage length to detect misalignment that causes relative rotation
?, Equipment Characteristics of the specimen ends about axes perpendicular to the specimen
7. I Generally, ilie tests will be perfonned on one of the axis. The lower the bending stresses (strains), the more
following types ?f fatigue te~ting machines: repeatable the test results will be from specimen to specimen.
7.1.1 Mecham cal (eccentnc crank, ppwer screws, rotating This is especially important for materials with low ductility
01asses). (that is, bending stresses (strains) should not exceed 5 % of the
7.1.2 Electromechanical or magnetically driven, or minimum stress (strain) amplitude).
7.1.3 Hydraulic or electrohydraulic.
NOTE 3-This section refers to Type A Tests. in Practice E IO12.
7.2 The action of the machine should be analyzed to ensure
that the desired fonn and magnitude of loading is maintained 9. Test Termination
for the duration of the test.
7.3 The test machines should have a force-monitoring 9.1 Continue the tests until the specimen failure criteria is
system, such as a transducer mounted in series with the attained or until a predetennined number of cycles has been
specimen, or mounted on the specimen itself, unless the use of applied to the specimen. Failure may be defined as complete
such a system is impractical due to space or other limitations. separation, as a visible crack at a specified magnification, as a
The test forces should be monitored continuously in the early crack of certain dimensions, or by some other criterion. In
stage of the test and periodically, thereafter, to ensure that the reporting the results, state the criterion selected for defining
desired force cycle is maintained: The. varying stress ampli- failure and be consistent within a given data set.
tude, as detennined by a suitable dynamic verification (see
Practice E 467), should be maintained at all times within 2 % 10. Report
of the desired test value. 10.l Report the following infonnation:
7.4 Test Frequency-The range of frequencies for which 10.1.1 This fatigue test specimens, procedures, and results
fatigue results may be influenced by rate effects varies from should be reported in accordance with Practice E 468.
material to material. In the typical regime of 10-2 to 10+2 Hz 10.1.2 The use of this practice is limited to metallic speci-
over which most results are generated, fatigue strength is mens tested in a suitable environment, generally atmospheric
generally unaffected for most metallic engineering materials. It air at room temperature. Since however, the environment can
is beyond the scope of Practice E 466 to extrapolate beyond greatly influence the test results, the environmental conditions,
this range or to extend this assumption to other materials that is, temperature, relative humidity, as well as the medium,
systems that may be viscoelastic or viscoplastic at ambient test should always be periodically recorded during ilie test and
temperatures and within the frequency regime mentioned. As a reported .
cautionary note, should localized yielding occur, significant
10.1.3 Generally, the fatigue tests may be carried out using
specimen heating may result and affect fatigue strength.
a periodic forcing function, usually sinusoidal. However,
regardles s of the nature of the forcing function , it should be
8. Procedure reported (sine, ramp, saw tooth, etc.).
8.1 Mounting the Specimen-By far the most important I0.1.4 When noticeable yielding occurs in the fatigue tests
consideration for specimen grips is that they can be brought of unnotched specimens (for example, non-zero mean stress
into good alignment consistently from specimen to specimen fatigue test) the pem1anent defonnation of the unbroken but
(see 8.2). For most conventional grips, good alignment must tested specimens (for example, percent change in cross-section
come about from very careful attention to design detail. Every area of test section) should be reported.
effort should be made to prevent the occurrence of misalign-
I0.1.5 A brief description of the fracture characteristics;
ment, either due to twist (rotation of the grips), or to a
results of post-test metallography or scanning election micros-
displacement in their axes of symmetry. copy, or both; identification of fatigue mechanism; and the

531
 Oe466
relative degree of transgranular and intergranular cracking
would be highly beneficial.

APPENDIX

(Nonm11nd11fory Information)

XI. EXAMPLE OF MACHINING PROCEDURE

e caution should be exercised in polish;
Nara XI I- Extrem d h h ng lo
X 1.1 While the following procedure was developed for · • 1• being properly remove rat er t an merely srn
ensure rhnl marerrn is urface This is a particular anger in soft martafc(j
• d •
.
machjning high-strength materials with minimal attendant 10 produce a smooth s · k th C!iaJ1
tool mar
an be smeared over . . . . d . s. ereby creati·n ·
smface damage and alteration. it can be successfully applied to . .
wherein malerrn 1 c ga
· ble
• II y un des1ra influence on crack m1hat1on unng testing
materials of lower strength. As a conservative general measure. polentm ·
thjs procedure is recommended unless: ( /) the experimental X 1_2.4 After polishjng (see Note XI._ I) ~11 remruning &rind.
objective is to evaluate another given surface condition or, (2) ing and polishing marks should_ be long1tud1~al. No circumfer.
it is l,10wn that the material under evaluation is relatively ential machining should be evident _when ~tewed at appro~j.
insensitive to surface l.'.ondition . mately 20 x magrufication under a hght rmcroscope.
Xl.2 Procedure: Xl.2.5 Degrease the finished specimen.
X 1.2. I ln the final stages of machining, remove material in Xl.2.6 If heat treatment is necessary, conduct it before final
small amounts until 0. I 25 mm (0.005 in.) of excess material machining.
remains. x 1.2.7 If surface observations are _to be made, the test
XI .22 Remove the next 0.1 mm (0.004 in.) of gage specimen may be electropolished in accordance with Methods
diameter by cylindrical grinding at a rate of no more than 0.005
E3.
mm (0.0002 in.)/pass.
Xl.2.8 Imprint specimen numbers on both ends of the test
Xl.2.3 Remove the final 0.025 mm (0.001 in.) by polishlng
section in regions of low stress, away from grip contac1
(Note Xl .1) longitudinally to impart a maximum of 0.2-µm
(8-µin .) surface roughness. surfaces.

REFERENCES

(I ) Worthem, D. W., "Flat Tensile Specimen Design for Advanced

(4) Miller, G. A. and Reemsnyder, H. S., "Strain-C ycle Fatigue of Sheet
Composites:• NASA Contractor Report No. 185261, NASA- Lewis and Plate Steels II: Some Practical Considerations in Applying
Research Center, Cleveland, OH, November 1990. Strain-Cy cle Fatigue Concepts," High Srrength Steel for Automotive
(2) Miller, G. A., "Interlaboratory Study of Strain-Cy cle Fatigue of 1.2 Use, P124, SAE Paper 830173, Society of Automotive Engineeis.
mm- Thick Sheet Specimens," Journal of Testing and Evaluation, Warrendale, PA, February 1983, pp 3~1.
JTEVA, Vol 13, No. 5, September 1985, pp 344-351. (5) Miller, G. A. and Reemsnyder, H. S., "Strain-C ycle Fatigue of Sheet
(3) Miller, G. A. and Reemsnyder, H. S.," Strain-Cy cle Fatigue of Sheet and Plat Steels III: Tests of Notched Specimens," High Strength Steel
and Plate Steels I: Test Method Development and Data Presentation," for Automotive Use, Pl 24, SAE Paper 830176, Society of Automotive
High Srrengrh Sreel for Auromorive Use, P/24, SAE Paper No. Engineers. Warrendale, PA. February 1983, pp 43-53.
830175, Society of Automotive Engineers, Warrendale , PA. February
J983, pp 23-3l.

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532