HCF (High Cycle Fatigue)

High Cycle Fatigue (HCF) refers to the gradual process where a material, typically a metal, develops tiny cracks after being subjected to many repeated stress cycles at relatively low stress levels. Over time, these small cracks grow larger, eventually causing the material to fail or break. HCF is common in parts like aircraft wings or rotating machinery, where components experience millions of loading cycles. Understanding HCF helps engineers design more durable materials and structures by predicting lifespan and preventing sudden failures due to repetitive loading.