Abstract
Failure diagnosis invariably involves consideration of both associated material condition and the results of a mechanical analysis of prior operating history. This Review focuses on these aspects with particular reference to creep-fatigue failure diagnosis. Creep-fatigue cracking can be due to a spectrum of loading conditions ranging from pure cyclic to mainly steady loading with infrequent off-load transients. These require a range of mechanical analysis approaches, a number of which are reviewed. The microstructural information revealing material condition can vary with alloy class. In practice, the detail of the consequent cracking mechanism(s) can be camouflaged by oxidation at high temperatures, although the presence of oxide on fracture surfaces can be used to date events leading to failure. Routine laboratory specimen post-test examination is strongly recommended to characterise the detail of deformation and damage accumulation under known and well-controlled loading conditions to improve the effectiveness and efficiency of failure diagnosis.
Highlights
The diagnosis of failures invariably involves consideration of both the associated material condition and the results of a mechanical analysis of prior operating history
The required details relating to material condition and prior operating history are incomplete, and it is necessary to exploit the available evidence from both sources of information
This review has focused on these aspects with particular reference to creep-fatigue failure diagnosis
Summary
The diagnosis of failures invariably involves consideration of both the associated material condition and the results of a mechanical analysis of prior operating history. Creep-fatigue damage development can be very material condition-dependent, being influenced by creep ductility, and by creep strength and the way in which it has been attained; that is, by precipitation strengthening or by solid solution strengthening For these reasons, the accurate microstructural characterisation of creep-fatigue damage often requires a knowledge of operating conditions (and the results of mechanical analysis) and the response of the material to thermo-mechanical fatigue loading (e.g., from laboratory testing experience). The accurate microstructural characterisation of creep-fatigue damage often requires a knowledge of operating conditions (and the results of mechanical analysis) and the response of the material to thermo-mechanical fatigue loading (e.g., from laboratory testing experience) In this respect, the routine practice of laboratory specimen post-test examination is strongly advocated.
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