Evaluation of Alloy C276 for High Strength Fastener Applications in Marine Environments

Abstract

The nickel-base alloy C276 holds promise as a high strength fastener material for use in marine environments. The resistance of the material in annealed condition to pitting and crevice corrosion in seawater environments has been well documented. The strength of the alloy can be increased substantially by strain hardening, but this may have an adverse effect on the corrosion resistance. Slow strain rate testing (SSRT) was carried out on the material in strain hardened condition to evaluate its resistance to corrosion in seawater environment. Limited SSRT was also carried out on a comparative basis on cold drawn Alloy 686, a nickel-base alloy demonstrated to be an excellent material for high strength fastener applications in seawater environments. Test results for the alloys C276 and 686 are similar. The study suggests that Alloy C276 is an adequate material for high strength fastener applications in seawater environments.