Thermal-mechanical fatigue testing
Résumé
The development of thermal-mechanical fatigue (TMF) facilities over nine years is described. This test is aimed at simulating the behavior of a volume element of a real component under non-isothermal conditions. The present facilities were set up to simulate thermal fatigue loading of nozzle guide vanes and blades in gas turbines. Adequate accuracy and versatility were obtained in the first TMF facility using conventional low-cycle fatigue equipment for high temperature testing and an Apple IIe microcomputer. The capability and limitations of this first facility are described. A second improved facility was then set up, and the performance was improved by the use of a Macintosh with an advanced software package.