In vitro corrosion fatigue behavior of low nickel high nitrogen austenitic stainless steel

► LCF life of 216L steel is significantly higher than 316L in air as well as in SBF. ► 216L steel has shown higher fatigue life at stress amplitudes below ±500 MPa in SBF. ► Cyclic softening was observed in the 216L steel and cyclic hardening in the 316L. ► Strain induced martensite was found in 316L under constant strain and stress cycling.