ASTM E739-23 PDF

Full title and description

Standard Guide for Statistical Analysis of Linear or Linearized Stress-Life (S‑N) and Strain‑Life (ε‑N) Fatigue Data — a concise ASTM guide (designation E739‑23) that presents elementary statistical procedures for modeling and interpreting S‑N and ε‑N fatigue relationships that can be approximated by a straight line on appropriate coordinates.

Abstract

This guide provides practical, elementary procedures for statistical analysis of linear or linearized stress‑life (S‑N) and strain‑life (ε‑N) fatigue data, including fitting straight‑line models on suitable coordinates, estimating central tendency and scatter, and constructing confidence or prediction bounds for tested intervals. It also warns against extrapolating fitted S‑N/ε‑N relationships beyond the tested stress/strain interval and against estimating fatigue life below approximately the fifth percentile.

General information

• Status: Withdrawn (balloted/withdrawn in January 2024; withdrawn listings commonly show effective dates in early January 2024).
• Publication date: February 1, 2023 (2023 edition, designation E739‑23).
• Publisher: ASTM International.
• ICS / categories: 19.060 — Mechanical testing (metals / fatigue testing).
• Edition / version: E739‑23 (2023).
• Number of pages: 7 pages.

Scope

The guide covers only S‑N and ε‑N relationships that may reasonably be approximated by a straight line (on appropriate coordinates) over a specific interval of stress or strain. It presents elementary modeling and analysis procedures reflecting accepted practice for such linear or linearized data, and explicitly cautions users not to extrapolate fitted curves outside the tested interval or to estimate very low percentile lives (roughly below the fifth percentile) from the guide’s simple methods.

Key topics and requirements

• Fitting linear or linearized S‑N and ε‑N models on appropriate coordinates.
• Use of basic regression methods to estimate central tendency (mean/median life) and scatter (standard deviation) in log or linear space where applicable.
• Calculation of confidence and prediction bounds for tested stress/strain intervals.
• Guidance on sample‑size considerations, representation of censored or run‑out data, and presentation of results.
• Clear limitations: no extrapolation outside tested intervals; avoid estimating lives below roughly the 5th percentile using these elementary methods.

Typical use and users

Used by materials scientists, fatigue and fracture engineers, mechanical test laboratories, R&D groups, and academics for routine statistical treatment and reporting of S‑N and ε‑N fatigue test results where the relationship is approximately linear (or linearizable) over the interval of interest. It is intended for analysis, comparison, and reporting — not for advanced nonlinear fatigue modeling or extrapolation to very low‑probability life predictions.

Related standards

Commonly referenced documents include other ASTM fatigue/test practices and terminology standards (for example ASTM E468 on presentation of constant amplitude fatigue test results, ASTM E466 on conducting axial fatigue tests, and ASTM E1823 terminology for fatigue and fracture testing). Note that committee actions and related work items were affected by the withdrawal of E739.

Keywords

fatigue, S‑N, ε‑N, stress‑life, strain‑life, statistical analysis, linear regression, confidence bounds, prediction bounds, run‑outs, ASTM E739‑23.

FAQ

Q: What is this standard?

A: ASTM E739‑23 is a short guide (designation E739‑23, 2023 edition) that provided elementary statistical procedures for analyzing linear or linearized stress‑life (S‑N) and strain‑life (ε‑N) fatigue data.

Q: What does it cover?

A: It covers fitting linear or linearized S‑N and ε‑N relationships on appropriate coordinates, estimating central tendency and scatter, and producing confidence/prediction bounds for the interval tested; it warns against extrapolation beyond that interval and against estimating very low percentile lives using these simple methods.

Q: Who typically uses it?

A: Materials scientists, fatigue engineers, mechanical test laboratories, academic researchers, and others who perform or interpret constant‑amplitude fatigue tests where the S‑N/ε‑N relation is approximately linear over the stress/strain range of interest.

Q: Is it current or superseded?

A: The 2023 edition (E739‑23) was published on February 1, 2023, but the guide was balloted/withdrawn in January 2024; listings show withdrawal effective in early January 2024 (commonly reported as Jan 2–3, 2024). Users should treat E739‑23 as withdrawn and consult current committee notices or replacement documents before relying on it.

Q: Is it part of a series?

A: E739 is part of ASTM’s fatigue and fracture test/practice family and is related to other ASTM documents on fatigue testing, data presentation, and terminology (for example E466, E468, and E1823). The withdrawn status has prompted committee activity and related work items.

Q: What are the key keywords?

A: S‑N, ε‑N, stress‑life, strain‑life, statistical analysis, linear regression, confidence bounds, prediction intervals, fatigue test presentation.