Predictive fatigue crack growth law of high-strength steels

• We propose a predictive fatigue crack growth rate law by considering the effects of both strength and toughness. • A quantitative criterion is established for judging the fatigue crack resistance of high-strength steels. • The predictive law would provide a unique view to the quantitative anti-fatigue design of metallic materials. The fatigue resistance of metallic materials is generally attributed to both strength and toughness. Unfortunately, these properties are mutually exclusive in most materials. Classical theories like Paris’ law only provide some data correlation schemes rather than a predictive capability, which cannot satisfactorily guide the anti-fatigue design. In this study, for the first time, the predictive fatigue crack growth rate law is proposed by considering the effects of both strength and toughness. Accordingly, a quantitative criterion is established for judging the fatigue crack resistance of high-strength steels. The predictive law would provide a unique view to the quantitative anti-fatigue design of metallic materials.