Application of the reference stress method for interpreting impression creep test data

Impression creep tests have been performed on a 316-stainless steel at 600 degrees C, for which conventional uniaxial creep test data are available. It is shown that the technique, based on the reference stress approach, for converting impression creep test data to equivalent uniaxial creep data, is accurate. The results show that the impression creep technique can be used for obtaining creep properties for materials which have high creep resistance at high temperature and test pressure conditions. The difficulties and limitations associated with such situations are described and methods of dealing with them are outlined.