Fatigue limits for notches of arbitrary profile

Microestructural fracture mechanics and numerical techniques are applied to study the fatigue limit of components with notches of arbitrary form subjected to mode I loading. The application to V-notches is described. Comparisons with experimental results on specimens with different flange angles, root radii and notch depths are reported. Discussion and comparison with results obtained with two other methods based on the critical distance concept are presented.

► Presents a microstructural fracture mechanics model for notched components.
► Fatigue limits of notches of arbitrary shape under mode I loading are studied.
► Considers the existence of microcracks growing in the notch stress gradient.
► Provides a faithful description of the Frost diagram for notched components.