Thermal Fatigue

Abstract

Thermal fatigue is a fatigue failure mechanism that is induced by cyclic stresses from repetitive fluctuations in the temperature. The degree of damage depends on the magnitude and frequency of the temperature changes. Macroscopic cracks can be induced by cyclic stresses or strains due to temperature changes. Thermal fatigue cannot be prevented, but there are ways to prevent failure due to thermal fatigue. Avoiding temperature fluctuations in particular during shutdown and start-up of a component can help to prevent thermal fatigue.