Corrosion Fatigue of Standard Duplex Stainless Steel X2CrNiMoN22-5-3 under Rotation Bending Load in Northern German Basin Environment

Abstract

Standard duplex stainless steel X2CrNiMoN22-5-3 is resistant to both, corrosion and mechanical stress, but corrosion fatigue (CF) lowers the lifetime expectancy in a geothermal environment such as the Northern German Basin. Laboratory experiments used the in-situ electrolyte at 369 K in a specifically designed corrosion chamber applying rotation bending cyclic load to failure. CF behaviour was compared to pure push-pull load. Corrosion kinetics are independent of the load applied. Failure is initiated by pits resulting in mechanical degradation. Increased thickness of the passivating layer surrounding pits enhances degradation or delamination. Also, sharp notches located along the pit edge increase notch effects and stress concentration consequently leading to fast crack propagation and early failure.