Austenitic stainless steel specimens have been examined by positron-lifetime measurements at various stages until failure during fatigue tests at constant stress or plastic strain amplitudes. A positron-source-detector assembly has been mounted on the servohydraulic testing machines that allowed truly non-destructive positron annihilation studies without removing the specimens from the load train. Positrons were generated by a Se-72/(72) As source with a maximum activity of 0.9 MBq (25 mu Ci). The average positron lifetime has been determined by a beta(+) - gamma-coincidence applying a simplified data evaluation procedure. Under constant stress or plastic strain amplitudes early stages of fatigue damage could be detected. The strong increase of the average positron lifetime already during the first 10% of fatigue life could be related to the fatigue life of the specimens. Issues of lifetime prediction by positron annihilation measurements are discussed. (c) 2005 Springer Science + Business Media, Inc.