Ermüdungsverschleiß

Ermüdungsverschleiß is a phenomenon that describes the gradual degradation and eventual failure of a material or component due to repeated application of stress. This type of wear is distinct from wear caused by single, high-impact loads or continuous abrasion. Instead, it arises from cyclic loading, where stresses below the material's ultimate tensile strength can still accumulate microscopic damage over time.

The process of fatigue begins with the initiation of small cracks, often at points of stress concentration such as surface imperfections, sharp corners, or inclusions within the material. Under repeated stress cycles, these micro-cracks propagate, growing larger with each load application. Eventually, when the crack reaches a critical size, the component can no longer withstand the applied forces and undergoes catastrophic failure.

Factors influencing fatigue wear include the magnitude and frequency of the applied stress, the material's properties (such as its tensile strength, toughness, and microstructure), and the environmental conditions (e.g., temperature, presence of corrosive substances). Common examples of components susceptible to fatigue wear include aircraft wings, bridge components, rotating shafts in machinery, and even the treads of vehicle tires. Understanding and predicting fatigue wear is crucial in engineering design to ensure the safety and reliability of structures and mechanical systems, often involving sophisticated testing and analysis methods.