Experimental and numerical modeling approach for thermomechanical low cycle fatigue analysis of cyclically non-stabilized steels.

The widely used fatigue life prediction models, such as the Coffin-Manson model or S-N curve related models are based on the assumption that the response of a material experiencing low cycle fatigue loading is stabilized during some period. However, for many materials such a stabilized state is hardly observed, and the activated mechanisms for cyclic hardening or softening depend on test conditions. In general, the selected test conditions (stress or strain control) should depend on the intended use of the obtained material data.