Fast-F

Development of an accelerated fatigue testing methodology and a digital platform for material selection and structural component design.

The FAST-F project addresses a key limitation in the development of mechanical components: the need for reliable fatigue data obtained through conventional testing methods, which require a large number of specimens and testing times that can extend over months or even years.

To overcome this limitation, the project develops and validates a novel procedure known as the stiffness method, capable of determining the fatigue behaviour of materials using only three specimens and requiring approximately one day per testing condition. The method monitors fatigue damage through stiffness evolution, enabling rapid and reliable estimation of S-N curve parameters and fatigue limits.

The project integrates this methodology into an online platform that compiles fatigue data together with advanced mechanical properties, such as fracture toughness, to support material selection and the design of fatigue-critical components. This platform is conceived as a key tool for simulation-driven design environments, where fast and accurate data availability is essential.

In parallel, the project incorporates a strong focus on technology transfer, including the definition of the intellectual property protection strategy, the business model development, and the market validation. This ensures the alignment of the solution with industrial needs and facilitates its adoption.

FAST-F thus contributes to accelerating the development of new materials, including those produced by additive manufacturing technologies, and responds to the needs of sectors such as automotive, aeronautics, and energy, which require faster, more efficient, and accessible solutions for fatigue characterisation.

Eurecat takes part in the project through its Metallic and Ceramic Materials unit, responsible for the scientific and technical leadership of the solution, and its Industrial Valorisation unit, which defines the technology transfer strategy and the business model.