Part 1.

Research an account of an engineering component that has failed from fatigue. Write up a brief
report (1 typed/2 written pages) containing all the relevant details.
Part 2.

Describe what is meant by the following

1.
Fatigue limit.
2.
Fracture toughness.
3.
Creep.
4.
Intergranular fracture.
5.
Ductile fracture.
Part 3.

The fatigue data for a brass alloy are given as follows

(a)
(b)
(c)

STRESS AMPLITUDE
(MN/m2)

CYCLES TO FAILURE

170

3.7 X 104

148

1.0 X 105

130

3.0 X 105

114

1.0 X 106

92

1.0 X 107

80

1.0 X 108

74

1.0 X 109

Make an S-N plot (stress amplitude verses logarithmic cycles to failure) using the
above data.
Determine the fatigue strength at 4 x 106 cycles of the brass alloy.
Determine the fatigue life for 120 MN/m2.

Part 4.

(a)
(b)
(c)

Cite five factors that might lead to scatter in fatigue life data.
Briefly explain the difference between fatigue striations and beachmarks both in terms
of size and origin.
List four measures that may be taken to increase the resistance to fatigue of a metal
alloy.