Abstract
Full-beads of multi-layer steel engine head gaskets that are used to seal the combustion gas between the head and the block are subject to cyclic bending stresses due to the variation of the head/block gap during engine operation. The S-N curve for the fatigue durability assessment of the full-bead formed on NBR-coated SUS301 thin plate is deduced from the axial fatigue test results because of the difficulty in conducting the bending fatigue test of thin plate. The experimental verification of the deduced S-N curve is presented. It is shown that the NBR coating increases the endurance limit of the plate significantly. Mechanism of crack nucleation and propagation in the full-bead is discussed with photographs of the fatigue cracks.