Investigation of the ElectroPuls E3000 Test Machine for Fatigue Testing of Structural Materials

Abstract : An investigation into the use of the Instron ElectroPuls E3000 for the purpose of fatigue crack growth rate testing of structural materials was conducted. The reference material used in this study was BIS812EMA steel and fatigue testing was performed in accordance with ASTM E 47-13. The ElectroPuls E3000 produced fatigue crack growth rate data (at a frequency of 10 Hz) that was consistent with previous testing performed on servo-hydraulic testing machines (at a frequency of 2 Hz). The apparatus was able to produce reliable data up to a frequency of approximately 40 Hz; the exact frequency limit depended on the R-ratio of the cyclic loading. An attempt was made to measure the threshold stress intensity factor range for BIS812EMA. The results indicate that for an R-ratio of 0.5, the threshold stress intensity factor range is approximately 3.2 MPa dot m1/2. Limitations of the test apparatus were identified under certain testconditions, for example, undershoot of the minimum load at high frequencies.