Applicability analysis of induction bending process to P91 piping of PGSFR by high-temperature fatigue test

Abstract

The application of the induction bending process in pipe fabrication is expanding across industries, significantly reducing leakage by minimizing welded sections in curved pipes. In this study, the applicability of the induction bending process to P91 bent pipes of PGSFR was analyzed, focusing on both material fatigue tests and structural fatigue tests for induction bent pipe at high temperatures. First, both high-cycle and low-cycle fatigue tests on specimens from the bent pipe were carried out at 550 °C to confirm that the fatigue properties meet the ASME Code's fatigue requirements. Second, material constants for a Chaboche combined hardening model were identified by using the material test results and an inelastic finite element analysis of the P91 bent pipe were performed to determine the fatigue test load for structural test effectively. Lastly, a high-temperature fatigue test on the bent pipe structure was performed to assess its structural integrity and post-test non-destructive examination confirmed that no fatigue cracks developed, and thereby affirming the applicability of the P91 bent pipe.