Fatigue crack growth can affect airplanes, trains, cars, energy systems, and other structures.

Apr 23, 2025

ASTM International’s fatigue and fracture committee (E08) is developing a proposed standard that describes a procedure to characterize the intrinsic resistance of metals to the onset of fatigue crack growth. Safety critical structures including airframes, aeroengines, surface transportation, and energy systems are adversely affected by early fatigue crack growth that is sensitive to load history effects and inherent residual stress.

ASTM member Sunder Ramasubbu notes that manufacturers are likely to benefit from the proposed standard (WK90778) by being better equipped to specify acceptable defects in input quality control and additive manufacturing applicable to service load conditions. 

“Manufacturers will be able to select the required non-destructive inspection equipment for quality control,” says Ramasubbu. “Regulatory bodies will be able to come up with more explicit guidelines on the qualification of durability and periodicity of inspections of fatigue critical systems.”

ASTM welcomes participation in the development of its standards. Become a member at JOIN ASTM.

To purchase standards, contact ASTM International customer relations (tel +1.877.909.ASTM; https://www.astm.org/contact).

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