Fatigue

Crack Growth Fatigue crack growth (FCG) is a form of material degradation that occurs when a material repeatedly experiences stress and strain. It is one of the most important forms of mechanical failure and can lead to catastrophic failure of the material or structure. FCG can affect a range of materials, from metals to polymers and composites, and is a major concern in engineering applications. FCG is typically measured through a process called crack propagation testing, in which test pieces are subjected to cyclic loading and the rate at which cracks extending from a known point grow is determined. FCG is an important consideration in the design, operation and maintenance of components and structures, helping engineers to design and build parts and structures better able to withstand repeated loading conditions.