Fatigue of ZEK100-F magnesium alloy: Characterisation and modelling

Fatigue and cyclic behaviour of rolled ZEK100-F magnesium alloy in rolling direction are investigated by conducting fully-reversed strain-control uniaxial tension-compression cyclic experiments at a wide range of strain amplitudes. The experimental alloy possesses less asymmetric (less skewed) hysteresis loops, and higher ductility at the room temperature, relative to other conventional wrought magnesium alloys, e.g., AZ31B-H24 and AM30. Cyclic straining at amplitudes less than 0.6% results in material softening, while at higher amplitudes cyclic hardening occurs. Through stress-control cyclic tests at stress ratios of 0 and -1, mean stress is shown to have an adverse effect on the fatigue life of rolled ZEK100-F alloy. Finally, strain- and energy-based fatigue life prediction models are assessed against generated constant and variable amplitude experimental data, and Jahed-Varvani energy-based approach is observed to give statistically better life predictions.