Pronounced mean stress sensitivity of VHCF torsional and axial strength is found.
Cracks in cyclic torsion mostly initiate by cyclic shear without a crack starter.
Cracks in cyclic tension mostly start at internal inclusions or grain boundaries.
Initial shear cracks deflect to mode I at a well-defined stress intensity factor.
Residual stresses are stable under axial but not under torsional VHCF loading.