A High‐Throughput Approach for Load‐Controlled Tension–Tension Fatigue Testing

ABSTRACT Fatigue characterization, particularly for conditions associated with relatively short fatigue lives, remains time‐consuming and resource intensive. This study presents a uniaxial, load‐controlled tension–tension fatigue methodology employing a multi‐specimen, serially linked assembly to enhance experimental throughput while maintaining adherence to established testing standards. Specimens were designed with incremental cross‐sectional variations such that a single applied force produces multiple stress levels within one experiment. Four experimental configurations were investigated: individual specimen testing; serial testing with sequential removal of failed specimens; serial testing with specimen replacement until each type failed once; and serial testing with stress‐targeted replacement specimens. A total of 57 small‐scale 316 stainless steel flat coupons were tested at R ≈ 0 and maximum stresses between 510 and 590 MPa. Digital image correlation (DIC) was used to quantify strain and local damage evolution. The high‐throughput configurations yielded fatigue lives within ±2.12% of conventional single‐specimen tests while reducing overall testing time by up to a factor of 3.6.