Creep Crack Growth in P92 and P122 Alloy Steel Weldment

Abstract

The structures connected by welding are fractured often in Heat Affected Zone (HAZ) when cracks grow under high-temperature and high-pressure conditions. In this study, the creep crack growth tests of P92 and P122 steels were performed and the creep fracture characteristics were evaluated. Degradation rate by cavities was investigated and the influence of degradation rate on crack growth rate was evaluated. Crack growth rate of new material was compared with that of the degraded material to confirm the influence of the degradation rate by cavities on the crack growth rate. From these results, the crack growth rates in welded joints were determined. The crack growth rate of the step test specimen was much faster than that of new material under the same test conditions of step temperature, while it was slower than that of new material under the same step loading conditions. It implies that crack growth rate of the welded specimen is faster when degradation rate by cavities is high even under the same temperature and stress conditions. HAZ and weld metal have faster cavity nucleation and growth rates than base metal. Therefore, the HAZ and weld metal specimens showed shorter crack initiation time and the initial crack growth rate (da/dt)c of the HAZ and weld metal was faster than the base metal. If (da/dt)c is fast, fracture life will be reduced.