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Received: January 29, 2018; Revised: April 03, 2018; Accepted: April 17, 2018
Abstract: In this study, the effect of Nb alloying element on the corrosion fatigue properties of high strength steel is investigated by conducting fatigue experiments under corrosive condition and hydrogen induced condition, potentiodynamic polarization test, tensile test and surface analyses. Nb element is added to enhance the mechanical property of medium carbon steel. This element forms MX-type phases such as carbides and nitrides which are playing an important role in the grain refinement. The grain refinement is one of the effective way to improve mechanical property because both tensile strength and toughness can be improved at the same time. However, MX-type phase precipitates can be a susceptible site to localized corrosion in corrosive environment due to the potential difference between matrix and precipitate. The obtained results showed that Nb-added steel improved corrosion fatigue property by grain refinement. However, it is degraded for hydrogen-induced fatigue property due to Nb, Ti-inclusions acting as a stronger trap.