---
title: "Mechanical Fatigue by Cyclic Loading"
slug: "mechanical-fatigue-by-cyclic-loading"
updated: 2026-10-27T23:12:43Z
published: 2026-10-27T23:12:43Z
canonical: "ims-handbook.cenosco.com/mechanical-fatigue-by-cyclic-loading"
---

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# Mechanical Fatigue by Cyclic Loading

## Summary

Fatigue cracking is a mechanical form of degradation that occurs when a component is exposed to cyclical stresses for an extended period, often resulting in sudden, unexpected failure.

Examples from API 571 of fatigue caused by cyclic loading are:

- thermal cycling in daily operation (e.g. decoking, intermittent service)
- pressure cycling in daily operation (e.g. pressure swing absorbers).

Fatigue by cyclic loading is an age related damage mechanism.

[PDF document](https://cdn.document360.io/e492a0e0-a4ba-4aca-8fc6-76b95f91fdf3/Images/Documentation/CEN.16.10652 - Fatigue by Cyclic Loading.pdf?sv=2026-02-06&spr=https&st=2026-10-28T13%3A37%3A06Z&se=2026-10-28T14%3A37%3A06Z&sr=c&sp=r&sig=Fly9Cl%2B5tVrWbzlZfrlRLsJOvD1TyMhc4ke85k4GQrQ%3D)