Role of mean stress on fatigue behavior of a 316L austenitic stainless steel in LWR and air environments

Mean stress effects on fatigue life of a stainless steel in air and boiling water reactor (BWR) environments were evaluated by load-controlled tests. In stress-life, non-zero mean stresses increase low cycle regime both high air. BWR environment, higher was observed with negative while decrease the limit found for positive one. strain-life, are insignificant. All data well correlated Smith-Watson-Topper parameter showing no interaction between environment.