Evaluation of the Creep Strength of 9Cr-1Mo-V and 1Cr-1Mo-1/4V Castings and Weldments Using Accelerated Creep Testing

The traditional method to generate creep data requires several long term tests; in some cases upward of 100,000 h. These tests are often time and cost prohibitive to perform. Creep data in literature are limited to commonly available materials in set processing conditions. This speaks very little to the properties for new materials, alternate processing of existing materials, as well as properties for weldments and heat affected zones (HAZ) that occur in the fabrication of large equipment. Due to this, several methods have been developed for accelerated creep testing. The stress relaxation test (SRT) is one such method and is discussed as the means to evaluate two different materials and their weldments used in the manufacturing of steam turbine casings. Cast 9Cr-1Mo-V material from two different foundries as well as their weldments and HAZ were tested at temperatures between 550 degrees C and 700 degrees C. The SRT generated data closely match that given in literature. In a nearly identical test program, cast 1Cr1Mo1/4V steel showed anomalies in the weld and HAZ behavior. Further investigation showed that the incorrect weld metal was used, and in a second attempt, poor welding practice lead to premature specimen failure due to Type IV cracking. These two case studies illustrate the ability of the SRT method to accurately predict creep properties and its sensitivity to detect variations in properties, which can make it useful for rapid verification of casting suppliers and welding procedures for high temperature applications.