Thermomechanical Fatigue
Many construction components used in the automotive, power generation and aerospace industry are subjected to cyclical thermal loads. The resulting thermomechanical fatigue can affect the components’ dimensions. Material inhomogeneities caused during manufacturing, for instance, may also have a strong influence on the component’s service life. In order to reliably assess the durability of a component, manufacturers need to understand and consider any relevant thermomechanical effects of material defects.
IABG determines the thermomechanical deformation behaviour of components based on flow and temperature field calculations and uses deformation models that consider the elastic, plastic and viscous properties of the materials used. The models are parametrised by means of uniaxial, thermomechanical fatigue tests.
A component’s service life is determined using damage models and the results of the deformation calculations. The degree of damage also depends on material defects which are therefore equally taken into account in the analysis. Custom test benches are installed to validate the simulation and examine the thermomechanical properties of the components when exposed to operational loads.
IABG thus provides a method for the service life assessment and optimisation of components subjected to thermomechanical loads. In addition, this method takes into consideration potential material defects. This test and calculation procedure enables the derivation of standards for effective quality assurance and process optimisation. It also helps manufacturers leverage materials’ load-bearing potential more effectively and shorten development times.
