Effect of Sb, P, Sn and B on the microstructure and creep properties of normalized and tempered 1.25 Cr-0.5 Mo steels

A program to study the effect of Sb, P, Sn and B on creep properties of four normalized and tempered 1.25 Cr-0.5 Mo steels at 538°C (1000°F) has been completed. Results show that even a combined addition of large amounts of Sb, P and Sn does not affect short time creep strength or ductility of the steel at 538°C (1000°F). Addition of B resulted in an increase or decrease of creep strength depending on the nature of the impurity species present, presumably due to B-impurity interactions. Regardless of the effect on creep strength, B additions caused sharp reductions in rupture ductility in all cases. Comparison of the present results on the four laboratory steels (100 pct bainite) with results of a previous study on a commercial steel (60 pct bainite + 40 pct ferrite) show that the effect of microstructure becomes negligible and rupture strength values of the various steels at 538°C (1000°F) approach each other at rupture times in excess of 10⁴ h.     

Effect of Sb,P, Sn and B on the microstructure and creep properties of normalized and tempered 1.25 Cr−0.5 Mo Steels

A program to study the effect of Sb, P, Sn and B on creep properties of four normalized and tempered 1.25 Cr−0.5 Mo steels at 538°C (1000°F) has been completed. Results show that even a combined addition of large amounts of Sb, P and Sn does not affect short time creep strength or ductility of the steel at 538°C (1000°F). Addition of B resulted in an increase or decrease of creep strength depending on the nature of the impurity species present, presumably due to B-impurity interactions. Regardless of the effect on creep strength, B additions caused sharp reductions in rupture ductility in all cases. Comparison of the present results on the four laboratory steels (100 pct bainite) with results of a previous study on a commercial steel (60 pct bainite + 40 pct ferrite) show that the effect of microstructure becomes negligible and rupture strength values of the various steels at 538°C (1000°F) approach each other at rupture times in excess of 10⁴ h.     

Axial creep and stress-rupture of B-Al composites

Constant load creep and stress-rupture properties of boron and silicon carbide coated boron, BORSIC^®, filament reinforced aluminum alloys were measured at 300°, 400°, and 500°C. The mean stresses for 1000 hr rupture life at the three test temperatures were 96,000, 82,000, and 72,000 psi, respectively. Elongation in creep tests was checked by using scribed lines, and this technique indicated that grip-mounted extensometers were inadequate for precision measurement due to shear of aluminum in the grips. A maximum of 0.2 pct plastic elongation was measured, which corresponds to the creep properties of the filaments. Comparison of Borsic composite results with data for composites fabricated with uncoated boron filament showed that the short-time rupture strengths of the two materials were similar, but that the stress for rupture of the boron filament composites decreased much more rapidly with increasing rupture time than did the stress for rupture in the Borsic filament composites, due to degrading reactions of the uncoated boron with the matrix. Fracture analysis was performed using optical metallography and scanning electron microscopy. The analysis indicated that the major portion of filament failures in the region of the fracture surface at elevated temperatures initiated at the outer surface of the filament, whereas filament failures that initiated in the region of the core were more common in room temperature tensile specimens. The amount of plastic flow in the matrix increased markedly with increasing temperature, but filament pullout lengths were far less than those predicted by a simple shear-lag theory on the basis of the shear strength of the matrix.     

New approach to predict the long-term creep behaviour and evolution of precipitate back-stress of 9–12% chromium steels

Modern advanced 9–12 % Cr steels are complex alloys with excellent creep strength even at high temperatures up to 620°C. The mechanical properties of these steels are significantly influenced by the presence and stability of various precipitate populations. Numerous secondary phases grow, coarsen and, sometimes, dissolve again during heat treatment and service, which leads to a varying obstacle effect of these precipitates on dislocation movement. In this work, the experimentally observed creep rupture strength of an modified 9–12% Cr steel developed in the European COST Group is compared to the calculated maximal obstacle effect (Orowan stress) caused by the precipitates present in these steels for different heat treatment conditions. It is shown that the differences in creep rupture strength caused by different heat treatments disappear after long time service. This observation is discussed on the basis of the calculated evolution of the precipitate microstructure. The concept of boosting long-term creep rupture strength by maximizing the initial creep strength with optimum quality heat treatment parameters for precipitation strengthening is critically assessed.     

Effects of some carbide stabilizing elements on creep-rupture strength and microstructural changes of 18-10 austenitic steel

The creep rupture test has been carried out for 18Cr-10Ni-0.1 wt pct C stainless steels bearing individually Ti, Nb(Cb), and V, followed by the microstructural study. The highest value of 700°C-10⁴ h rupture strength in a titanium and niobium series (the steel containing various amounts of titanium and niobium, respectively) has been obtained at Ti/C and Nb/C atomic ratio of 0.8 and 0.2 to 0.4, respectively. On the other hand, in a vanadium series, the creep rupture strength of the steel showed its maximum at V/C atomic ratio of about unity in the testing at the temperature of 700° and 800°C, but at 600°C, the strength increases monotonically with vanadium content up to 1.53 wt pct. Such high strength in the steels con-taining proper amount of Ti, Nb, and V is related mainly with the fine distribution of M₂₃C₆ precipitates which is caused by the acceleration of nucleation due to the foregoing precipi-tation of a MC type carbide within the austenite grains. And it has been deduced that the solid solution strengthening effect of the vanadium contributes also to the remarkable in-crease in the rupture strength of the vanadium steel at 600°C.     

Heat treatment effects on creep and rupture behavior of annealed 2.25 Cr-1 Mo steel

The strength of 2 1/4 Cr-1 Mo steel depends on the microstructure, which, in turn, de-pends on the heat treatment. In the fully annealed and isothermally annealed conditions, the microstructure is primarily proeutectoid ferrite with varying amounts of bainite and pearlite. The relative amounts of the latter constituents depend on the cooling rates during the anneal. The creep and rupture properties were determined for steel plates (from a single heat) given three different annealing treatments: two were fully annealed, but cooled at different rates from the austenitizing temperature, and the third was iso-thermally annealed. Properties were determined at 454, 510, and 566°C. At 454 and 510°C, the cooling rate had a significant effect on the creep and rupture properties, with the ma-terial cooled fastest being the strongest. Although at 510°C strengths at short rupture times differed widely, the properties approached a common value at longer rupture times. The properties differed very little at 566°C, even for short rupture times. The effect of heat treatment was concluded to be the result of interaction solid solution hardening, a dislocation-drag process. This process gave rise to nonclassical creep curves (as op-posed to classical curves with single primary, secondary, and tertiary stages). By examining the creep-curve shape, it was possible to interpret the heat treatment effects on the creep-rupture properties.     

The effect of helium environment on the creep rupture properties of Inconel 617 at 1000°C

The effect of oxygen contents in helium and in vacuum on the creep rupture properties of Inconel 617 has been investigated at 1000°C under the stress of 3.5 Kg/mm². The main results are as follows. 1) The creep rupture properties in 99.9999 pct and 99.995 pct helium and in high vacuum are almost the same as those in air. 2) The oxygen in helium causes a remarkable decrease of the creep rupture time and similar effect of oxygen is also found in the controlled pressure of air. 3) The effect of oxygen on the creep rupture properties is attributable to the decarburization which tends to decrease the high temperature strength.     

Structure and elevated temperature properties of carbon-free ferritic alloys strengthened by a laves phase

A Laves phase, Fe₂Ta, was utilized to obtain good elevated temperature properties in a carbon-free iron alloy containing 1 at. pct Ta and 7 at. pct Cr. Room temperature embrittlement resulting from the precipitation of the Laves phase at grain boundaries was overcome by spheroidizing the precipitate. This was accomplished by thermally cycling the alloys through theα →γ transformation. The short-time yield strength of the alloys decreased very slowly with increase in test temperature up to 600°C, but above this temperature, the strength decreased rapidly. Results of constant load creep and stress rupture tests conducted at several temperatures and stresses indicated that the rupture and creep strengths of spheroidized 1 Ta−7 Cr alloy were higher than those of several commercial steels containing chromium and/or molybdenum carbides but lower than those of steels containing substantial amounts of tungsten and vanadium. When molybdenum was added to the base FeTa-Cr alloy, the rupture and creep strengths were considerably increased. Formerly with Lawrence Berkeley Laboratory.     

The Creep Rupture Properties of 9% Chromium Steels and the Influence of Oxidation on Strength

Abstract

Creep rupture data for the 9% chromium steels Fe9CrlMoVNb (P91), Fe9CrlMolWVNb (E911) and Fe9Cr Mo2WVNb (P92) have been evaluated using the secondary creep rate as well as the stress rupture life and compared with literature data for Fe9CrlMo (P9) and 12CrlMoV. Extrapolation procedures have been carried out in order to predict the long-terms stress rupture strengths of the 9% Cr Steels. The factors affecting the reliability of the extrapolations are discussed. The 600°C/100 000 h stress rupture strength of P92 was slightly higher than that of E911 based on data of up to 30 000h duration. The effect of oxidation on rupture life was assessed; for components of wall thickness below about 6 mm, the loss of load-bearing cross-section due to oxidation should be taken into account for service life prediction.     

Structure and elevated temperature properties of carbon-free ferritic alloys strengthened by a laves phase

A Laves phase, Fe₂Ta, was utilized to obtain good elevated temperature properties in a carbon-free iron alloy containing 1 at. pct Ta and 7 at. pct Cr. Room temperature embrittlement resulting from the precipitation of the Laves phase at grain boundaries was overcome by spheroidizing the precipitate. This was accomplished by thermally cycling the alloys through the α→γ transformation. The short-time yield strength of the alloys decreased very slowly with increase in test temperature up to 600°C, but above this temperature, the strength decreased rapidly. Results of constant load creep and stress rupture tests conducted at several temperatures and stresses indicated that the rupture and creep strengths of spheroidized 1 Ta-7 Cr alloy were higher than those of several commercial steels containing chromium and/or molybdenum carbides but lower than those of steels containing substantial amounts of tungsten and vanadium. When molybdenum was added to the base Fe-Ta-Cr alloy, the rupture and creep strengths were considerably increased. M. Dilip Bhandarkar, formerly with Lawrence Berkeley Laboratory.     

A Modified HR3C Austenitic Heat-Resistant Steel for Ultra-supercritical Power Plants Applications Beyond 650 °C

A modified HR3C austenitic steel has been designed by optimizing the chemical composition. Compared with a commercial HR3C alloy, the modified steel has comparable oxidation resistance, yield strength, and plasticity, but higher creep rupture strength and impact toughness after long-term thermal exposure. The results suggest that the modified alloy is a promising candidate for the applications of ultra-supercritical power plants operating beyond 650 °C.     

Creep Behavior and Degradation of Subgrain Structures Pinned by Nanoscale Precipitates in Strength-Enhanced 5 to 12 Pct Cr Ferritic Steels

Creep behavior and degradation of subgrain structures and precipitates of Gr. 122 type xCr-2W-0.4Mo-1Cu-VNb (x = 5, 7, 9, 10.5, and 12 pct) steels were evaluated during short-term and long-term static aging and creep with regard to the Cr content of steel. Creep rupture life increased from 5 to 12 pct Cr in the short-term creep region, whereas in the long-term creep region, it increased up to 9 pct Cr and then decreased with the addition of Cr from 9 to 12 pct. Behavior of creep rupture life was attributed to the size of elongated subgrains. In the short-term creep region, subgrain size decreased from 5 to 12 pct Cr, corresponding to the longer creep strength. However, in the long-term creep region after 10⁴ hours, subgrain size increased up to 9 pct Cr and then decreased from 9 to 12 pct, corresponding to the behavior of creep rupture life. M₂₃C₆ and MX precipitates had the highest number fraction among all of the precipitates present in the studied steels. Cr concentration dependence of spacing of M₂₃C₆ and MX precipitates exhibited a V-like shape during short-term as well as long-term aging at 923 K (650  °C), and the minimum spacing of precipitates belonged to 9 pct Cr steel, corresponding to the lowest recovery speed of subgrain structures. In the short-term creep region, subgrain coarsening during creep was controlled by strain and proceeded slower with the addition of Cr, whereas in long-term creep region, subgrain coarsening was controlled by the stability of precipitates rather than due to the creep plastic deformation and took place faster from 9 to 12 pct and 9 to 5 pct Cr. However, M₂₃C₆ precipitates played a more important role than MX precipitates in the control of subgrain coarsening, and there was a closer correlation between spacing of M₂₃C₆ precipitates and subgrain size during static aging and long-term creep region.     

Creep and stress rupture of a mechanically alloyed oxide dispersion and precipitation strengthened nickel-base superalloy

The creep and stress rupture behavior of a mechanically alloyed oxide dispersion strengthened (ODS) and γ′ precipitation strengthened nickel-base alloy (alloy MA 6000E) was studied at intermediate and elevated temperatures. At 760 °C, MA 6000E exhibits the high creep strength characteristic of nickel-base superalloys and at 1093 °C the creep strength is superior to other ODS nickel-base alloys. The stress dependence of the creep rate is very sharp at both test temperatures and the apparent creep activation energy measured around 760 °C is high, much larger in magnitude than the self-diffusion energy. Stress rupture in this large grain size material is transgranular and crystallographic cracking is observed. The rupture ductility is dependent on creep strain rate, but usually is low. These and accompanying microstructural results are discussed with respect to other ODS alloys and superalloys and the creep behavior is rationalized by invoking a recently-developed resisting stress model of creep in materials strengthened by second phase particles. The analysis indicates that at the intermediate temperature the creep strength is controlled by the high volume fraction of γ′ precipitates and the contribution to the creep strength from the oxide dispersion is small. At the elevated temperature, the creep strength is derived mainly from the inert oxide dispersoids. Formerly at Columbia University.     

Creep Rupture Strength and Microstructure of Low C-10Cr-2Mo Heat-Resisting Steels with V and Nb

The new ferritic heat-resisting steels of 0.05C-10Cr-2Mo-0.10V-0.05Nb (Cb) composition with high creep rupture strength and good ductility have already been reported. The optimum amounts of V and Nb that can be added to the 0.05C-10Cr-2Mo steels and their effects on the creep rupture strength and microstructure of the steels have been studied in this experiment. The optimum amounts of V and Nb are about 0.10 pct V and 0.05 pct Nb at 600 °C for 10,000 h, but shift to 0.18 pct V and 0.05 pct Nb at 650 °C. Nb-bearing steels are preferred to other grades on the short-time side, because NbC precipitation during initial tempering stages delays recovery of martensite. On the long-time side, however, V-bearing steels have higher creep rupture strength. By adding V to the steels, electron microscopic examination reveals a stable microstructure, retardation during creep of the softening of tempered martensite, fine and uniform distribution of precipitates, and promotion of the precipitation of Fe₂Mo.     

Effect of Pre-strain on the Creep Strength of Ni-Based Alloys for A-USC Boilers

In order to clarify the effects of cold work on the creep rupture strengths of Ni-based alloy, the relationship between the pre-strain and the creep rupture strengths of Alloy617, Alloy263, and Ally740H was investigated. The creep rupture strength of Alloy617 increased as the pre-strain increased. The creep rupture strength of Alloy263 was roughly constant, independent of pre-strain. Meanwhile, the creep rupture strength of Alloy740H was constant with a pre-strain up to 5 %, and deceased to about one third of the initial value with a pre-strain of 7.5 % or larger. From the results of microstructure observation, the relationship between the amount of carbide in grain boundaries and the pre-strain, coordinates well with the relationship between the change in creep rupture strength and the pre-strain.     

Structure and properties of rapidly solidified dispersion strengthened titanium alloys: Part II. tensile and creep properties

The effects of incoherent dispersoids on tensile and creep properties were determined in rapidly solidified Ti-Er and Ti-Nd alloys. Uniform distributions of. fine incoherent dispersoids in Ti matrix were produced by rapid solidification at cooling rates > 10³ °C per second and subsequent annealing at 700 to 800°C of Ti-1.0Er, Ti-2.0Er, Ti-1.5Nd, and Ti-3.0Nd alloys. The rapidly solidified particulates consolidated by vacuum hot pressing were isothermally forged, rolled, and annealed to produce fully recrystallized microstructures. The incoherent dispersoids in Ti-Er and Ti-Nd alloys increase by 40 to 110 pct the yield strength and ultimate tensile strength of Ti with no significant loss in ductility. The strength increments were analyzed in terms of the superposition of dispersion-, solid solution-, and fine grain-strengthening. Dispersion strengthening is offset to some extent by the reduction in interstitial oxygen solid solution strengthening caused by the scavenging of oxygen by Er and Nd. The dispersoids decrease the creep rates and increase the stress rupture lifetimes of Ti at 482 to 700 °C.     

Creep rupture and creep behaviour of martensitic X 18 CrMoVNb 11.1 type steel at elevated temperatures and after a temperature transient

Martensitic CrMoVNb 1.4914 type steel, which is at present being tested as a material for fuel element wrapper tubes, was subjected to tests in order to find out the impact on the original hardening and tempering strength of brief temperature rises up to 975°C. T-transients in the range between 800 and 900°C (20–36 min > A_c1b) do not exert a pronounced influence on creep-rupture strength; merely the times up to ≤ 1 % creep strain are clearly reduced, as is indicated by creep-rupture tests at 650°C. There is a more pronounced influence on creep rupture and creep behaviour if the transient extends into the 975°C region and is subsequently held in the range of 600–750°C, where transformation to the pearlite stage occurs. High creep stability is seen at holding temperatures of < 600 and > 400°C. The explanation is furnished by the findings obtained in isothermal creep-rupture tests above A_c1b (800–925°C). Extensive metallographic examination confirms the structural changes expected from the IT-diagram.     

Effect of normalization temperature on the creep strength of modified 9Cr-1Mo steel

The effect of normalization temperature from 850 °C to 1050 °C on the structure and creep-rupture properties of modified 9Cr-1Mo steel was studied. Normalization at temperatures below 925 °C resulted in structures containing significant polygonized, recovered ferrite. The ferrite structures had poor creep-rupture strength: roughly two orders of magnitude increase in minimum creep rate or decrease in rupture life for 850 °C compared to 1050 °C normalization at test conditions of 600 °C and 145 MPa. Room-temperature strength and hardness were also reduced. The microstructure after normalization at the standard 1050 °C temperature consisted of tempered martensite with fine M₂₃C₆ carbide along prior austenite and lath boundaries and fine MX carbonitride precipitates within the laths. Normalization at temperatures between 925 °C and 1000 °C also resulted in reduced creep strength in comparison with 1050 °C normalization, even though tempered martensite microstructures were formed and little change in room-temperature strength was observed; the reduction was attributed to subtle differences in the MX precipitates. The effect of reduced normalization temperature was more pronounced for higher-temperature, lower-stress creep-rupture conditions.     

The effect of fine precipitate particles on the creep behaviour of ferritic model steels -I. Experiments

In view of efforts to develop ferritic creep resistant steels for applications above 600°C the effect of fine precipitate particles on the creep behaviour of ferritic model steels was studied as a function of stress, temperature and particle distribution. The chosen model steels contained 20% Cr (by mass), up to 0.9% Nb and up to 0.1 % C to produce NbC volume fractions up to 0.8% with particle sizes of about 0.1 μm (order of magnitude). The alloys and structures are briefly described (NbC solubility, precipitation and ageing behaviour, recrystallization and grain growth, oxidation resistance) as well as the mechanical short-term behaviour. The creep behaviour was studied between 600°C and 800°C (with emphasis on 700°C) at strain rates between 10^?11 and 10^?6 s^?1 with times to rupture up to 20000 h. The creep resistance of the model steels at 700°C (for a strain rate of 10^?8s^?1) increases with increasing NbC content from about 5 MN/m² for the alloy without NbC to about 50 MN/m² for the alloys with 0.6% or 0.8% NbC. The analysis of the obtained results is the subject of the second part of this report.     

Texture and room temperature mechanical properties of dispersion strengthened Ni−Cr alloys

The effects of preferred crystallographic orientation on the elastic and plastic properties of dispersion-strengthened Ni-Cr alloys have been observed at room temperature. One alloy possessed a heavy cube-texture with a twin component while another alloy did not show evidence of a preferred crystallographic orientation. The elastic modulus was found to vary within the plane of the sheet of the textured alloy, depending on the direction of the axis of the tensile specimen, from 22.9×10⁶ psi (1.58×10¹² d per sq cm) to 33.1×10⁶ psi (2.28×10¹²) d per sq cm). The ultimate strength varied between 108×10³ psi (7.45×10⁹ d per sq cm) and 127×10³ psi (8.75×10⁹ d per sq cm) again depending upon the orientation of the tensile axis. These variations are related to theories of plastic and elastic behavior in materials. It is concluded that the presence of the preferred orientation acts to texture strengthen the alloy at room temperature. The tensile properties of the two alloys at 2000°F (1093°C) indicate that texture is possibly partially responsible for the excellent high temperature strengths and creep resistance of the dispersion strengthened alloys.