This document specifies the conditions for conducting the plane bending fatigue test on an axial machine, constant-amplitude, force or displacement controlled, at room temperature (ideally between 10 °C and 35 °C) on metallic specimens, without deliberately introduced stress concentrations. This document does not include the reversed/partially loading test. The purpose of the test is to provide relevant results, such as the relation between applied stress and number of cycles to failure for a given material condition, expressed by hardness and microstructure, at various stress ratios.

Although the shape, preparation and testing of specimens of rectangular and bevelled cross-section are specified, component testing and other specialized forms of testing are not included in this document.

Fatigue tests on notched specimens are not covered by this document since the shape and size of notched test pieces have not been specified in any standard so far. Guidelines are given in Annex A. However, the fatigue-test procedures described in this document can be used for testing such notched specimens.

It is possible for the results of a fatigue test to be affected by atmospheric conditions. Where controlled conditions are required, ISO 554:1976, 2.1 applies.