In-Situ Electrochemical Investigations of a Nickel-Based Alloy Subjected to Fatigue

The HASTELLOY C2000 superalloy is a commercially designed superalloy manufactured to function in reducing and oxidizing corrosive solutions. The industrial applications have tremendous potential in automotive, structural, aviation, and storage components. Although C2000 demonstrates good reducing and oxidizing traits in extremely aggressive media (which are attractive features of its chemistry), changes in the mechanical properties are believed to be insignificant due to its strong propensity to passivate under corrosive conditions. The ductility behavior and corrosion properties of C2000 are superior to those of stainless steels. The objective of the present study is to examine the corrosion-fatigue behavior of C2000 in a 3.5 wt pct sodium-chloride (NaCl) solution. C2000 submerged in 3.5 wt pct NaCl at room temperature is not susceptible to localized corrosion, such as pitting, during fatigue. At an accelerated potential of 350 mV, the current responses show an increase in the current due to slip steps emerging to the surface as a result of fatigue. The crack-initiation site and the examination of the fracture morphology are discussed.