Creep crack growth testing of P91 and P22 pipe bends

Laboratory component tests play an important role in the development of life assessment procedures for high temperature crack initiation and growth. Thus, the working programme of the project BE 1702 HIDA, which addressed the validation, expansion and harmonisation of existing procedures for high temperature defect assessment, included a comprehensive experimental programme with feature tests of components as its core. Because of their relevance for the high temperature industry, P91 and P22 were included in HIDA among five materials. This paper presents laboratory creep crack growth tests of P91 and P22 pipe bends, discusses the test experience and draws some conclusions for laboratory component tests in general. The components were prepared with spark-eroded notches at the outer surface. The test temperature was 625°C for P91 and 565°C for P22.