Effect of pre hot corrosion on high cycle fatigue behavior of the superalloy IN718 at 600 °C

•Effect of pre hot corrosion on high cycle fatigue behavior was studied.•Formation of pits from hot corrosion was due to evaporation of chlorides.•Early cracks were initiated from the bottom of pits due to surface ridging.•Fatigue life was reduced due to early fatigue crack initiation and propagation.