GMW16970

Description / Abstract: Introduction

Note: Nothing in this standard supercedes applicable laws and regulations.

Note: In the event of conflict between the English and domestic language, the English language shall take precedence.

Purpose. To provide a common, concise, accurate method of obtaining fatigue information for polymeric materials.

Applicability. This Fatigue Testing Procedure is applicable for all neat, filled, and short fiber thermoplastic reinforced polymeric materials.

Remarks. Most components and structures are subjected to cyclic loading; therefore, fatigue is a major consideration in their design and failure analysis. Several ASTM International (ASTM) and International Organization for Standardization (ISO), exist for characterizing fatigue behavior and determining fatigue properties of metallic materials. One such standard is ASTM E466 on conducting force controlled constant amplitude axial fatigue tests for metallic materials which has existed for 40 years.

Polymeric materials are increasingly used in many structural applications where they are often subjected to cyclic loadings. Fatigue behavior characterization and properties of polymeric materials are also of prime consideration in many of their applications. However, fatigue test standards for polymeric materials have not been available from major standard writing organizations such as ASTM and ISO until recently.

In 2012, a test standard was issued by ASTM as ASTM D7791-2012, Standard Test Method for Uniaxial Fatigue Properties of Plastics. This brief test standard lacks many details such as specimen geometry and cycling frequency selection. It is also limited to loading conditions for which stresses do not exceed the proportional limit of the material.

The guidelines in this procedure are intended to provide detailed axial load-controlled fatigue testing of polymeric material. This addresses testing equipment requirements, specimen geometry, testing procedures, data acquisition and analysis procedures, and material property determinations. Such guidelines can be used in support of activities such as research and development, process and quality control, and product performance and failure analysis.