Metal fatigue testing at ultrasonic frequencies, history and uses

Abstract

Ultrasonic frequencies in the range of 20 kHz are now being used to test fatigue in materials on account of the rapidity with which the tests can be made. It appears that the original work was done by the speaker as described in the paper. At a recent international conference “Fatigue and Corrosion Fatigue up to Ultrasonic Frequencies,” which was dedicated to me on account of my original work in the field, it is stated that as a technique ultrasonic fatigue is almost as sophisticated as push‐pull fatigue testing. It has been shown that the results obtained at high frequencies are closely similar to results obtained at low frequencies, cycle per cycle. Constant total strain and constant displacement tests are possible. Positive mean load, elevated temperatures, and corrosion ultrasonic fatigue tests are now performed routinely. The feasibility and advantages of performing crack propagation tests at ultrasonic frequencies has been demonstrated. Hence ultrasonic fatigue testing is a very widely used technique.