Effect of low cyclic frequency on fatigue crack growth behavior of a Mn–Ni–Cr steel in air and 3.5% NaCl solution

Abstract

Corrosion fatigue phenomenon involves the time dependent corrosion and cycle dependent fatigue loading. The intention of this study is to develop a test method to evaluate the crack growth rate of a material in a corrosive environment at low frequencies. The effect of cyclic frequency on crack growth rate of a Mn–Ni–Cr steel in lab air and 3.5% NaCl solution is evaluated using frequency shedding method where the cyclic frequency is decreased exponentially as a function of crack length at a constant stress intensity factor range. A Zn sacrificial anode coupled to the specimen slows down the rate of crack growth.