An approach is proposed for the evaluation of surface fatigue
damage of hot forming tools that undergo severe thermo
mechanical loading. Fatigue crack propagation in a hot work
tool steel X38CrMoV5-47HRC is investigated using singleedge
cracked tension specimens with 3 different thicknesses
(2.5, 1, 0.6 mm) and two R-values. The stress intensity factor
is evaluated with ABAQUS®. Paris curves are established for
the crack propagation experiments.