LCF (Low Cycle Fatigue)

Low Cycle Fatigue (LCF) refers to the damage and eventual failure of materials, like metals, caused by repeated stress or loading cycles that are close to or exceed their maximum strength. Unlike long-term, gradual fatigue, LCF occurs over a relatively small number of cycles—typically less than a few thousand—leading to the initiation and growth of cracks. This phenomenon is common in engineering components subjected to intense, fluctuating forces, such as aircraft wings or turbine blades, where understanding LCF helps predict lifespan and ensure safety under extreme operating conditions.