Micromechanical fatigue experiments for validation of microstructure-sensitive fatigue simulation models

Crack initiation governs high cycle fatigue life and is sensitive to microstructural details. While corresponding microstructure-sensitive models are available, their validation is difficult. We propose a validation framework where a fatigue test is mimicked in a sub-modeling simulation by embedding the measured microstructure into the specimen geometry and adopting an approximation of the experimental boundary conditions. Exemplary, a phenomenological crystal plasticity model was applied to predict deformation in ferritic steel (EN1.4003). Hotspots in commonly used fatigue indicator parameter maps are compared with damage segmented from micrographs. Along with the data, the framework is published for benchmarking future micromechanical fatigue models.

Automated summary

This study proposes a validation framework where a fatigue test is simulated by embedding measured microstructures into the specimen geometry and adopting an approximation of the experimental boundary conditions. A phenomenological crystal plasticity model is applied to predict deformation in ferritic steel, and the hotspots in commonly used fatigue indicator parameter maps are compared with damage segmented from micrographs. The framework is published for benchmarking future micromechanical fatigue models.