AbstractThe effect of an environment containing chloride on the fatigue behaviour of a 8090 AlLiMgCu alloy was studied. Results were compared with those obtained on a traditional 2024 AlCuMg alloy. Fatigue and corrosion‐fatigue tests were carried out both on smooth specimens and riveted samples. In order to assess the corrosion behaviour of the materials and their susceptibility to stress corrosion cracking, potentiodynamic polarization and slow strain rate tests were carried out.Results showed a remarkable effect of the aggressive environment on the fatigue behaviour both of the innovative 8090 alloy (in T8 ageing conditions) and on the traditional clad 2024 alloy (in T3 natural ageing conditions), though the former showed slightly better behaviour. Nevertheless, in the presence of rivets the reduction in fatigue strength in the aggressive environment was negligible. Slow strain rate tests showed premature fractures under anodic polarization above the pitting potential and with a strain rate of 10−6 s−1, only for the 8090 T8 alloy.