Einfluß von Prüffrequenz und Salzgehalt des Korrosionsmediums auf die Korrosionsermüdung von Stählen bei betriebsähnlichen Lastabläufen

Influence of test frequency and NaCl-concentration on the fatigue life of steels under a realistic load sequence Because of the size and fatigue life of offshore structures the corrosion fatigue behaviour of those structures cannot be determined under service conditions. Also for the relevant corrosion fatigue tests in the laboratory using welded joints a compromise has to be found to reduce testing time to an economic justifiable amount. This compromise may be a higher stress used in the test, a higher test frequency or a higher concentration of NaCl in the seawater. The influence of test frequency and NaCl concentration on the fatigue life of fillet welded V-shaped specimens made from Fe E 355 KT was determined in artifical seawater and under a realistic load sequence. The fatigue life was separated into the crack initiation phase and the crack propagation phase as well. Mean frequencies of 0.2 Hz, 1.0 Hz and 10 Hz did not affect the fatigue life of welded joints until crack initiation, while low test frequencies of 0.2 Hz and 1.0 Hz accelerated the crack propagation. Higher NaCl-concentration of the seawater, however, had no effect on the fatigue life in both phases.