GROWTH OF SHORT CRACKS OF A537CLI STEEL UNDER FATIGUE LOADING IN 3.5% NaCl SOLUTION

The effects of environmental media,both in atmosphere and in 3.5% NaCl aqueous solution,on the growth of short cracks in comparison with the long ones have been investigated underfatigue loading on the specimens of single-edge crack about 0.05—0.15 mm for A537CLIsteel.The growth rate of short cracks is faster than those of long ones around the threshohtstress intensity.The threshold stress intensity for short crack growth decreases with de-creasing crack length.The acceleration effect of the salt water,as compared with atmosphereenvironment,on the growth of short cracks under fatigue is much greater than that on thegrowth of long cracks.