Defects as a root cause of fatigue failure of metallic components. II: Non-metallic inclusions.

Abstract This second part of the review on defects as root cause of fatigue failure comprises the origin, the nature and the effects of non-metallic inclusions. Topics addressed are the different kinds of inclusions formed during the manufacturing process, various types of mis-match causing local stresses and, as a consequence, fatigue crack initiation, and effects of characteristics such as size, morphology, localization, spatial distribution and orientation of the defects on the fatigue behavior. Methods for inclusion counting and sizing are discussed along with statistical aspects necessary to be considered when evaluating structural components. Highlights • Part of a comprehensive review on material and geometrical defects as root cause in failure analysis. • Discussion of the background as well as of practical effects of non-metallic inclusions in fatigue. • Discussion of the various parameters which affect the influence of inclusions on short and long crack propagation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]