On the Influence of Control Type and Strain Rate on the Lifetime of 50CrMo4

In this study, we investigate the influence of control type and strain rate on the lifetime of specimens manufactured from 50CrMo4. This influence is described by a strain rate dependent method that uses cyclic stress strain curves to correct displacement-controlled cyclic test results. The objective of this correction is to eliminate the stress related differences between displacement-controlled cyclic test results and force-controlled cyclic test results. The method is applied to the results of ultrasonic fatigue tests of six different combinations of heat treatment, specimen geometry (notch factor) and atmosphere. In a statistical analysis, the corrected results show an improved agreement with test results obtained on conventional fatigue testing equipment with similar specimens: the standard deviation in combined data sets is significantly reduced (p = 4.1%). We discuss the literature on intrinsic and extrinsic strain rate effects in carbon steels.