Fatigue crack propagation properties on corrosion resistant welded joints

Fatigue crack growth resistance properties are obtained through fatigue crack propagation tests. The results, obtained from a log-log plot presents three regions: region I, where the microstructure, mean stress and environment have a high influence. Region II, that presents a linear behavior and region III where the material reaches the fracture toughness and results in an instable fracture. In this work it is studied the behavior of corrosion resistant USI SAC 50 steel welded joints, using compact tension specimens with notch localized on the base metal, heat affected zone and melted zone. It is obtained stable crack propagation equations type Paris equation for the region II, with 95% confidence limit. It is observed that the heat-affected zone presents a major scatter. (authors)