Non‐propagation conditions for fatigue cracks and fatigue in the very high‐cycle regime

Abstract

ABSTRACT The propagation and non‐propagation conditions of cracks with crack closure and without crack closure are investigated in various materials. It was found that there exist lower limits for the crack‐driving force at which cracks do not propagate (d a /d N is smaller than 10 −10 mm cycle −1 ) for constant and variable amplitude loading. Finally, possible reasons for the growth of cracks below such limits, which may occur in the very high‐cycle regime, are discussed.