Geometry, stress and repeated loads affect damage
- Stress concentration
The notch changes the local stress distribution. Check the actual geometry and loading rather than nominal stress alone.
- Residual stressThis term
Opposing internal arrows represent stresses remaining without an external load. Processing and heat history influence the condition.
- Fatigue / fatigue life
Repeated loading can initiate and grow damage. Fatigue life requires the actual load spectrum, geometry, material and environment.
- Embrittlement
Cracking with reduced ductility represents embrittlement. Identify the relevant aging, chemistry, temperature or processing cause.
- Abrasion resistance
Sliding contact removes or damages material. A defined abrasion test must match the relevant surface, load and motion.
A notch can concentrate stress, processing can leave residual stress and repeated loads can initiate or grow damage. Brittle response and abrasion represent different material losses.
Exaggerated qualitative damage sketches. No fatigue life, allowable defect size or load rating is predicted by these illustrations.