IMR Materials Testing Technical Blog
Fatigue Testing for Product Durability in Safety-Critical Industries
Fatigue testing plays a vital role in ensuring product reliability, especially in industries where failure can have serious consequences. It allows companies to assess a product’s performance under extreme stress, reducing the risk of catastrophic outcomes. The following industries rely heavily on fatigue testing:
Fatigue Testing in Aerospace
Mechanical failure in aerospace can lead to significant financial losses and even human casualties. Aerospace manufacturers must use rigorous fatigue testing to ensure that components can withstand the demanding conditions of space travel.
The Importance of Fatigue Testing in Aerospace Components
Aerospace equipment, from aircraft to spacecraft, is exposed to repetitive high-stress environment. Fatigue testing ensures parts like wings, fuselages, and engines can endure long-term use without failure.
Case Study: SpaceX Strut Failure
In 2015, a SpaceX rocket disintegrated due to a failed strut in its upper stage liquid oxygen tank, costing over $110 million. The strut was found to be “industrial grade” rather than “aerospace grade,” meaning it wasn’t properly tested for such an application. Fatigue testing could have identified this issue before the launch, preventing the disaster.
Fatigue Testing in Healthcare
The reliability of medical devices is crucial, as equipment failure could directly impact patient safety. Fatigue testing stimulates the mechanical stress devices undergo in a human body over time, ensuring longevity and reliability.
Medical devices like pacemakers, surgical instruments, and prosthetics must undergo fatigue testing to ensure they can withstand repeated use inside the body. A failure in these devices could be fatal, making testing critical. Manufacturers can predict how the device will perform over time and make necessary adjustments.
Fatigue Testing in Energy
In the energy sector, particularly in oil and gas, the use of high-strength materials is essential to prevent failure that could lead to worker injuries, environmental disasters, and financial losses.
High-Stress Applications in Oil and Gas
Pipelines, drilling equipment, and refinery components are subject to constant mechanical and thermal stress. Fatigue testing helps ensure that these materials can withstand long-term use without cracking or failing.
Preventing Catastrophic Failures in Hazardous Environments
The oil and gas industry deals with corrosive and flammable materials, making material failure a significant threat to both worker safety and the environment. Fatigue testing is crucial for identifying weaknesses in components used in these harsh conditions.
IMR Test Labs Fatigue Testing Capabilities
Effective fatigue testing can prove invaluable to manufacturers, enabling them to better protect themselves from devastating accidents that could cripple a company. At IMR Test Labs we work to protect companies from material failure with the most comprehensive fatigue testing services available.
Certified and accredited by a number of leading manufacturers and regulatory bodies, IMR Test Labs is a recognized authority in the field of fatigue testing. Regardless of the product, we thoroughly evaluate its resistant to heat, shear, tension, corrosion, fracturing, bending, and cracking, as well as many other stresses it might encounter. Since we offer low displacement/high cycle and high displacement/low cycle fatigue tests, we’re able to test materials under various requested loading conditions.
Contact IMR Test Labs for more information or to request a quote.
For more information, download our free Introduction to Fatigue Testing.
