Lower Cycle Fatigue

Lower cycle fatigue refers to the weakening of a material, like metal, after it undergoes a relatively small number of high-stress loading cycles. When a material experiences repeated heavy loads, tiny cracks can develop and grow over time, eventually causing failure. Unlike high cycle fatigue, which involves many low-stress cycles, lower cycle fatigue occurs with fewer cycles but under more intense stress. This phenomenon is important to consider in engineering and design, especially in components subjected to repeated heavy forces, to prevent unexpected failures and ensure safety and durability.