Cyclic slip localisation and fatigue crack initiation in fcc single crystals

Initiation of fatigue cracks both in model fee single crystals and in fee single crystals used in engineering practice is discussed. The emphasis is placed on the role of different types of cyclic slip localisation. It is shown that the phenomenon of persistent slip bands is confined to single crystals of sufficiently high stacking fault energy cycled at a relatively narrow range of loading conditions. The necessary prerequisites for the microcrack initiation are discussed and accessed. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.