Thermo-Mechanical Fatigue Life Prediction: A Critical Review

Improved prediction methods for thermo-mechanical fatigue life will assist in reducing life cycle costs and increasing the availability of the hot-section components in aircraft engines. Literature on thermo-mechanical fatigue life assessment is reviewed in this report, with an emphasis on the life prediction models applied in aircraft engines. Successful areas of application of these life prediction models are addressed as well as their limitations. Published quantitative thermo-mechanical fatigue life data for selected hot section materials is also summarised. The review concludes by indicating areas where knowledge is deficient and where further research would be most beneficial