Characteristics of Torsional Fatigue in Shafts: Part I – Fracture Features

Complex torsional loading on industrial shafts can result in unusual fatigue fracture features. In many cases, inherent or external stress concentrators encourage transverse and/or axial features combined with the characteristic angular features created by torsional fatigue. Diagnosis of these failures can be difficult due to many interrelated loading factors. This presentation is a review of complicated torsional fatigue fracture features along with examples.