The aim of the present work was to evaluate high-strength bolt corrosion fatigue based on metallographic examinations. The conducted tests were focused on the analysis of damaged martensitic bolts. It was found that the combined presence of cyclic loads and a corrosive environment was the cause of the accelerated fatigue of the fastening bolts. The tests carried out indicate that the actual operating conditions were different than expected. The corrosion contributed to the loosening of the bolts and initiation of fatigue cracks in the bolt threads. Further damage of the galvanized bolts was caused by fatigue crack growth in their threaded part that propagated towards the centre of the material. Cracks in the zinc coating were transferred to the steel substrate. The corrosion was favored by the oxygen concentration cell and numerous radial cracks appear in the zinc coating. The vibrations accompanying the operation of the wind tower led to their further propagation and the formation of the fatigue fracture in one of the bolts.
Keywords: corrosion; fasteners; fatigue failure; galvanized bolts; high strength bolts; thread roots cracking.