Effect of machine scatter on the rotating bending fatigue life of materials

Abstract

Rotating bending fatigue test results vary from specimen to specimen even if materials are tested in a standard laboratory set up because rotating bending fatigue life or fatigue strength depends upon various factors due to its dynamic action. One method of testing may be machine scatter (offset and angular misalignment). Angular misalignments are unavoidable in dynamic machines due to continuous operation leading to transverse vibrations in specimens. The magnitude of transverse vibrations was measured manually by dial gauge arrangement. Experiments were carried out until fracture either with smooth running conditions or with the effects of offset and angular misalignment. The enhanced effect of misalignments on fatigue life was done through the histogram normal distribution technique. There was a clear distinction between the appearances of the fracture surfaces between the specimens subjected to smooth running conditions and specimen vibration, which reveals general fatigue fracture phenomena and intergranular fatigue cracks, larger decohesion of graphite nodules and isolated cleavage facets. The manual technique used without any resistance strain gauges, as they were not efficiently sustainable under repetitive loads, helped in understanding the dynamic machine scatter on fatigue life in an economical way where there were lesser concentrations in these areas.

Keywords

• angular misalignment
• fatigue
• offset