FATIGUE STRENGTH OF CORRODED GALVANIZED STEEL WIRES

Abstract

Fatigue strength of corroded steel wires were investigated in this paper. Specimens of different corrosion level galvanized wires were produced by wrapping with wet gauze and kept at high temperature, simulating cable corrosion environment. Fatigue strength decreased sharply after the zinc layer consumed and the steel started corrosion. The fatigue strength in wet environments decreased, comparing with dry environment. The observation fracture of every specimens shows that the crack initiation position is the corrosion pit on the wire surface. It was estimated that this decline of fatigue strength with progressing corrosion was caused by stress concentration of corrosion pit, and the decline in wet environment was caused by cooperation of corrosion and fatigue.