Fatigue strength of Inconel 718 at elevated temperatures

The strength of Inconel 718 under rotary bending fatigue is investigated at room temperature, 300, 500 and 600 °C in air. It is found that in the long-life region, the fatigue strength of a plain specimen is much higher at elevated temperatures than at room temperature, though the static strength decreases with the increase in temperature. The effect of temperature on the fatigue strength is examined in terms of the initiation and early growth behaviour of a small crack. The results are discussed in relation to the competition between the softening of the nickel matrix (γ phase) and the surface oxidation at elevated temperatures.