Creep deformation behavior and residual life prediction of low hardness P91 steel welded joints

Abstract

The remaining creep life of the reheat section pipeline of low hardness P91 steel replaced in a certain power plant was studied. The rupture behavior of the joint was studied using metallographic microscope (OM), scanning electron microscope (SEM), and Electron Back Scatter Diffraction (EBSD), and the creep life was predicted. The results show that the rupture behavior of P91 steel and its joint during service is related to external stress. When the stress is high, the failure position of the joint is concentrated at the lowest hardness position, dominated by low strength martensitic deformation cracking; When the stress is low, the joint fails from FGHAZ in the form of Type IV cracking, resulting in a combination of martensitic structure degradation and pore nucleation. Type IV cracking has a significant impact on the life of joints, and the polygonal line OSD method based on fracture mode for life prediction can effectively improve the accuracy of material life prediction.

Keywords

• Long-term service
• Welded joints
• Type IV cracking
• Life prediction