The effect of cyclic stressing on the oxidation of a low-carbon steel

The effect on oxidation of cyclically stressing a low carbon steel was studied at tempera-tures of 500 and 570°C. It was found that if the cyclic strain was above a threshold value which corresponded to the fracture strain of the surface scale, then the oxide growth rate increased both at 500 and at 570°C. The oxide fracture strains under fatigue conditions were found to be in the range 2.7 - 5.1 x 10^-4. The mechanism of the process is discussed in relation to oxidation kinetics and the mechanical properties of the growing surface scales.