Fatigue crack growth in 316L stainless steel

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of an overload on the rate of crack growth (da/dN) in a 316L stainless steel. Fatigue testing was carried out under plain stress condition. Parameters of the Paris Law were identified. The effect of a static overload, viz. an overall decrease in the crack growth rate, could be quantified. An initial, short-lived crack tip acceleration could also be detected. Compliance measurements taken concurrently to the crack growth measurements suggest that crack closure is not responsible for the initial acceleration or subsequent retardation of the crack growth rate