Our fatigue testing laboratories utilize specialized cyclic loading to predict the operational lifespan of materials subjected to fluctuating mechanical loads and thermal stresses. Whether you are looking to support research and development for a novel alloy or ensure the structural integrity of an established component, understanding fatigue life is critical to preventing catastrophic field failures and costly product recalls.
We provide both High Cycle Fatigue (HCF) and Low Cycle Fatigue (LCF) testing across a wide range of loads and sample sizes, ensuring the safety, reliability, and longevity of critical components in zero-tolerance industries:
- Aerospace Materials & Propulsion Systems
- Medical Device Testing & Implants
- Automotive & Power Transmission Components
What Types of Materials Can Be Fatigue Tested?
•Metals •Finished Products •Composites •Polymers •Coatings •Non-Metallic/Metal Hybrids
Fatigue Testing Variables
Mechanical fatigue testing services ensure materials are tested properly with several variables to be considered. At IMR Test Labs we can assess the variables and apply them to our testing procedures in order to ensure an accurate and thorough analysis of the materials.
- Static Load vs. Oscillating Forces
- Behaviors and Scenarios of real-world use
- Temperature Exposure - Ambient vs. Thermal
- Fatigue Type - Compression / Tension / Bending
At-a-Glance: Fatigue Testing Methods
| Testing Method | Primary Applications | Key Capability / Limit |
|---|---|---|
| Axial Fatigue | Structural beams, fasteners, joints, bulk metals | Pure tension/compression axial profiling |
| High-Temperature Fatigue | Turbine blades, aerospace propulsion, exhaust systems | Thermal cycling and testing up to 1,200°C |
| Rotating Beam Fatigue | Rotors, drive shafts, power transmission axles | High-frequency cyclic bending stress |
| Shear Fatigue | Advanced composites, industrial adhesives, bolted joints | Multi-axis sideways/torsional shear stress |
| Cryogenic Fatigue | Spacecraft components, liquid natural gas (LNG) tanks | Brittle fracture evaluation down to -196°C |
Specialized Mechanical Fatigue Testing Profiles
Axial Fatigue Testing
Axial fatigue testing applies alternating tensile and compressive loads in cyclical patterns perfectly aligned with the material's longitudinal axis. This test is critical for determining how raw materials behave under conditions that mirror real-world structural components.
- Target Materials: Metals, structural alloys, and rigid manufacturing materials.
- Core Capabilities: Highly customizable load profiles, variable cycle counts, and high-precision strain measurement.
High-Temperature Fatigue Testing
Material behaviors shift dramatically when subjected to cyclic stress at elevated temperatures. Our specialized high-temperature frames assess long-term material degradation and creep-fatigue interactions in extreme environments.
- Target Materials: Turbine blades, aerospace exhaust components, and heat exchangers.
- Core Capabilities: Continuous real-time data collection, stable thermal cycling, and testing environments reaching up to 1,200°C.
Rotating Beam Fatigue Testing
Designed to pinpoint a material's precise endurance limit, rotating beam testing spins a specimen continuously while applying a constant, cyclic bending stress. This isolates the exact point where rotational forces induce micro-cracking.
- Target Materials: Drive shafts, rotor components, and automotive powertrain parts.
- Core Capabilities: High-frequency cycling, continuous multi-speed rotation, and advanced crack propagation monitoring.
Shear Fatigue Testing
Components don't just experience pulling or bending forces; they are frequently subjected to severe sideways stresses. Shear fatigue testing predicts structural failure points under repeated, overlapping shear forces.
- Target Materials: Fiber-reinforced composites, structural adhesives, and heavy-duty bolted connections.
- Core Capabilities: Multi-axis load application, real-time strain data logging, and fully customizable shear angles.
Cryogenic Fatigue Testing
Extremely low temperatures can cause normally ductile materials to become brittle and fail without warning. Cryogenic fatigue testing validates that materials destined for extreme sub-zero environments will maintain their structural toughness.
- Target Materials: Spacecraft hulls, rocket fuel infrastructure, and cryogenic storage tanks.
- Core Capabilities: Temperature-controlled environmental chambers operating down to -196°C to evaluate resistance to brittle fracture.
FATIGUE TESTING BENEFITS - CRITICAL FOR SAFETY CRITICAL INDUSTRIES
Predicts Material Longevity - Determines how long a material can withstand repeated stress before failure.
Enhances Safety - Helps prevent unexpected failures in critical components, especially in aerospace, automotive, and structural applications.
Optimizes Design - Engineers can refine materials and structures to improve durability and performance.
Ensures Compliance - Meets industry standards (ASTM, ISO) and regulatory requirements.
Reduces Maintenance Costs - Indentifies potential weaknesses early, preventing costly failures and downtime.
Supports Material Selection - Compares different materials to find the best fit for specific applications.
Fatigue testing plays a vital role in ensuring product reliability, especially in industries where failure can have serious consequences. To learn more about fatigue testing for product durability in safety-critical industries, read our blog.
FATIGUE TESTING FAQs
Fatigue testing evaluates how materials perform under repeated stress cycles, helping predict failure points and ensure durability in real-world applications.
Fatigue testing identifies a material's resistance to cyclic stress, preventing unexpected failures in critical applications like aerospace, automotive, and medical devices.
Common types include axial fatigue, high-temperature fatigue, rotating beam fatigue, shear fatigue, and cryogenic fatigue testing, each tailored to specific conditions.
Aerospace, automotive, medical, energy, and manufacturing industries rely on fatigue testing to verify material performance in extreme or repetitive stress environments.
Tests apply cyclic loading to materials at varying temperatures, stress levels, and frequencies to mimic actual operating conditions and assessing long-term durability.
Fatigue testing follows industry standards such as ASTM E466 for axial fatigue and ASTM E606 for strain-controlled fatigue testing, ensuring reliable and comparable results.
Fatigue test duration depends on the material, applied stress, and required number of cycles, ranging from hours to weeks, depending on test parameters.
MECHANICAL FATIGUE TESTING METHODS
Adhesion (Peel) Testing
Bend Testing
Bond Strength Testing
Charpy Impact Testing (-320°F to 450°F)
Climbing Drum Adhesion of Sandwich Composites
Coating Adhesion
Coating Shear Fatigue
Coefficient of Thermal Expansion by TMA
Composite Testing (Fiber Reinforced)
Compression Set
Compressive Properties
Core Shear Properties of Sandwich Construction by Beam Flexure
Creep and Stress Rupture Testing
DMA (Dynamic Mechanical Analyzer)
Ductility
Elastic Modulus
Fatigue Testing
Filled Hole Tension & Compression
Flattening
Flat-wise Tensile Testing
Flexural Properties
Floating Roller Peel Strength
Fracture Mechanics
Gel Time
Hardness (Rockwell, Brinell, Durometer, Shore, Barcol, Knoop, Vickers, Macro Vickers)
Heat Aging
Heat Deflection by TMA
Heat Treatment (furnace to 2100°F)
Hydrogen Embrittlement
Hydrostatic Pressure
Interlaminar Shear
Jominy Hardenability
Lap Shear Testing
Machining & Specimen Preparation
Materialography
Modulus of Rupture (MOR)
n-Value (Strain Hardening Exponent)
Open Hole Tension and Compression
Pipeline Integrity Testing
r-Value (Plastic Strain Ratio)
Residual Strength of Composites After Impact
Rotating Beam Fatigue
Shear Testing of Rivets to ASTM B565, Single/Double
Short Beam Strength
Shot Peen Qualification
Single-Edged Notched beams (SENB)
Slow Strain Rate (G129)
Specimen Conditioning
Strain Gaging
Surface Roughness (ANSI/ASME B46.1)
T Peel Strength
Tear Resistance of Films & Sheeting
Tear - Rubbers & Elastomers
Tensile Testing
Torsional and Axial Fatigue (200 lb)
Tube Testing (Tensile, Flare, Hydrostatic)
Welder & Procedure Qualification
Wire/Spring Testing (Wrap, Coil, Bend)
Young's, Tangent and Chord Modulus (Room Temperature)
RELEVANT ACCREDITATIONS
Click here for a complete list of accreditations and certifications for all IMR Test Labs locations.
DOWNLOAD THE FATIGUE TESTING EBOOK
Fatigue Testing Overview
Fatigue Testing Capabilities
IMR Test Labs Expertise
Mechanical Fatigue Testing FAQ's
Q) How long does Mechanical Fatigue Testing take?
A) The time it takes to perform a Mechanical Fatigue test can vary however in most instances the test can be completed in 3 days to a week (longer times required for more complex, multi-departmental testing requests).
Q) What kind of fatigue testing is performed on my materials?
A) The type Mechanical Fatigue Test that is performed on your materials is determined by the assessment of several factors, including the application of use, the environmental exposures and estimated life expectancy of the material.
Q) Can fatigue testing be done at all of your facility locations?
A) Mechanical Fatigue Testing can be performed at our Ithaca, NY and Suzhou, China locations. See a complete list of IMR Test Labs Locations and their service offerings.
Q) Can IMR test to ASTM Mechanical Fatigue Testing standards?
A) There are a myriad of ASTM testing methods that IMR performs. Contact us with your testing needs at 888-464-8422 to talk with our experts or contact us by email.
Q) How much does Mechanical Fatigue Testing cost?
A) The price of Mechanical Fatigue Testing can vary depending on several factors. There are discounts available for long-term testing arrangements, and premiums charged for expedited testing. For more information, you can reach a testing expert at 888-464-8422 or request a quote.
Q) What type of analysis report is provided after a Fatigue Test?
A) A thorough detail of the data generated by testing, graphs and pictures where required, and analysis of the failure mechanism. Click here for a sample Mechanical Failure Analysis Report PDF
Q) How accurate are Mechanical Fatigue Testing results?
A) IMR Test Labs provides highly accurate results that are cross-checked and approved prior to submission to the customer.
