Evaluation of Continuous Low-Cycle Fatigue Behaviour of High Temperature P122 Boiler Material

Abstract

The complex thermal-mechanical loading of power-generating plant components usually comprises of creep, high-cycle and low-cycle fatigue which are thermally induced by start-ups, load changes and shut-downs, producing instationary temperature gradients and hence creating strain as well as stress fields. In order to select the correct materials for these hostile environmental conditions, it is vitally important to understand the behaviour of mechanical properties of these materials. This paper reports the results of Low-cycle fatigue tests of P122 (HCM12A or 12Cr-1.8W-1.5Cu) high temperature boiler material, which is one of the latest developed materials for high temperature environments. The tests were conducted at temperatures ranging from 550°C to 700 °C at 50°C intervals with strain ranges of ±1.5 to ±3.0% at 0.5% intervals using a closed-loop hydraulic Instron material testing machine with a servo hydraulic controller. The results confirm that P122 is comparable to conventional high temperature steels. Moreover, the fracture mode assessments strongly revealed a ductile transgranular fracture mode.