Corrosion Fatigue of 17-4pH Stainless Steel in a Simulated Sea Water Solution

Since martensitic precipitation hardened 17-4pH stainless steel has been widely used in corrosive environments, evaluation of its corrosion fatigue behavior is important. In this research, after microstructural studies, mechanical, corrosion, fatigue and corrosion fatigue tests were performed on 17-4pH specimens. Fatigue and corrosion fatigue tests were carried out at the  stress ratio of -1 and the  stress frequency of 0.42 Hz (to increase the effect of corrosive solution), and corrosion fatigue tests were conducted in 3.5% NaCl solution, an  environment similar to corrosive sea water. Fatigue limit of 17-4pH stainless steel was 700 MPa in air and 415 MPa in corrosive environment. Comparing the S-N curves of this alloy at the optimal heat treatment cycle in two modes of fatigue and corrosion fatigue revealed the reduction of fatigue limit up to 40 % in the presence of corrosive environment. This reduction was due to the effect of observed corrosion pits on the surface and Damaged passive layer.