Perspectives on radiation effects in nickel-base alloys for applications in advanced reactors

To evaluate the oxidation resistance of Alloy 617 and Haynes 230, oxidation tests were performed at 900 °C and 1100 °C in air and helium environments. Scale characterizations were assessed on specimens exposed to air using thin-film XRD, XPS, SEM and EDX. Oxidation resistance was dependent on the stability of the surface oxide layer, which can be affected by minor alloying elements such as Ti and Mn. At 900 °C, for Alloy 617, a mixture of the extensive NiO–Cr2O3 double layer and isolated NiO–NiCr2O4–Cr2O3 triple layer were observed at a steady-state condition. For Haynes 230, a MnCr2O4 layer was formed on top of the Cr2O3 layer, resulting in a lower oxidation rate. At 1100 °C, both alloys showed a double layer consisting of an inner Cr2O3 and outer MnCr2O4 or TiO2. The spallation of outer layer and subsequent volatilization of the Cr2O3 layer produced a rugged surface and interface as well as internal oxidation.

Oxidation Characteristics and Oxide Layer Evolution of Alloy 617 and Haynes 230 at 900 °C and 1100 °C

Effects of temperature on the low cycle fatigue behaviour of nitrogen alloyed type 316L stainless steel

Nucleation and growth of cracks and cavities under creep-fatigue interaction

High-temperature low cycle fatigue, creep–fatigue and thermomechanical fatigue of steels and their welds

Strain controlled low cycle fatigue tests have been conducted in air to ascertain the influence of strain rate(e = 4 × 10-6'to 4 × 10-3 s-1) and temperature(T = 750/850/950 °C) on LCF behavior of Alloy 617. A strain range of 0.6 pct and a symmetrical triangular wave form were employed for all the tests. Crack initiation and propagation modes were studied. Microstructural changes that occurred during fatigue deformation were evaluated and compared with the results obtained on isothermal aging. Deformation and damage mechanisms which influence the endurance have been identified. A reduction in fatigue life was observed with decreasing e at 850 °C and with increasing temperature at e = 4 × 10-5 s-1. Cyclic stress response varied as a complex function of temperature and strain rate. Fatigue deformation was found to induce cellular precipitation of carbides at 750 and 850 ‡. Dynamic strain aging characterized by serrated flow was observed at 750 °C (e = 4 × 10-5 s-1) and in the tests at higher e at 850 °C. Strengthening of the matrix due to dynamic strain aging of matrix dislocations by precipitation of M23C6 carbides led to fracture of grain boundary carbide films formed at 750 °C, producing brittle intergranular crack propagation. At 850 °C transgranular crack propagation was observed at the higher strain rates e≥4× 10-4 s-1. At 850 and 950 °C even at strain rates of 4 × 10-5 s-1 or lower, life was not governed by intergranular creep rupture damage mechanisms under the symmetrical, continuous cycling conditions employed. Reduction of endurance at lower strain rates is caused by increased inelastic strain and intergranular crack initiation due to oxidation of surface connected grain boundaries.

Influence of time and temperature dependent processes on strain controlled low cycle fatigue behavior of alloy 617

Strain-controlled fatigue tests have been conducted in impure helium, simulating the primary-circuit coolant of a high temperature gas-cooled reactor to ascertain the influence of strain rate ( e = 4 × 10 −3 to 2 × 10 −5 s −1 ), hold condition at peak strains (tension-only, compression-only and tension-plus-compression holds) and hold time (up to 120 min) on the low cycle fatigue behaviour of Inconel 617. A strain range of 0.6% and a temperature of 950°C were employed for all the tests. Microstructural changes which occurred during fatigue deformation were evaluated and damage mechanisms which influence fatigue life identified. A small reduction in fatigue life was found with decreasing e. Irrespective of the position of hold at peak strain in a cycle, the hold time always reduced the fatigue life in comparison with continuously cycled tests at lower strain rates but of equal cycle duration. Tensile holds were found to be most damaging, followed by compression holds. Symmetrical tension-plus-compression holds led to fatigue lives which were very close to those of the continuously cycled tests. In the continuously cycled tests with strain rates down to e = 6.7 × 10 −5 s −1 , failure was always transgranular with no indication of creep damage. However, for tests with tensile holds, creep damage was evidenced by grain boundary cavitation and oxidation, which were responsible for a reduction in the fatigue life. The formation of thick oxide scales at the surface observed at longer hold times led to chromium-depleted surface zones in which the carbide precipitates were dissolved. The loss of carbides increased grain boundary sliding which enhanced the formation of grain boundary cracks. These cracks shortened the critical length of surface fatigue cracks which, during fracture of the specimen, linked with the intergranular creep cracks in tensile hold tests. The damaging effect of compression hold was attributed to increased inelastic strain and deformation ratcheting found in the cycle; failure occurred by local accumulation of tensile plastic strain which finally caused tensile necking.

Creep-fatigue interaction of inconel 617 at 950°C in simulated nuclear reactor helium

The effects of strain rate (4 x 10(exp -6) to 4 x 10(exp -3)/s) and temperature on the Low-Cycle Fatigue (LCF) behavior of alloy 800H have been evaluated in the range 750 C to 950 C. Total axial strain controlled LCF tests were conducted in air at a strain amplitude of +/- 0.30 pct. LCF life decreased with decreasing strain rate and increasing temperature. The cyclic stress response behavior showed a marked variation with temperature and strain rate. The time- and temperature- dependent processes which influence the cyclic stress response and life have been identified and their relative importance assessed. Dynamic strain aging, time-dependent deformation, precipitation of parallel platelets of M(23)C6 on grain boundaries and incoherent ledges of twins, and oxidation were found to operate depending on the test conditions. The largest effect on life was shown by oxidation processes.

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Temperature and strain-rate effects on low-cycle fatigue behavior of alloy 800H

The damage mechanisms influencing the axial strain-controlled Low-Cycle Fatigue (LCF) behavior of alloy 800H at 850 C have been evaluated under conditions of equal tension/compression ramp rates (Fast-Fast (F-F): 4 X 10(sup -3)/s and Slow-Slow (S-S): 4 X 10(sup -5)/s) and asymmetrical ramp rates (Fast-Slow (F-S): 4 x 10(sup -3)/s / 4 X 10(sup -5/s and Slow-Fast (S-F): 4 X 10(sup -5) / 4 X 10(sup -3)/s) in tension and compression. The fatigue life, cyclic stress response, and fracture modes were significantly influenced by the waveform shape. The fatigue lives displayed by different loading conditions were in the following order: F-F greater than S-S greater than F-S greater than S-F. The fracture mode was dictated by the ramp rate adopted in the tensile direction. The fast ramp rate in the tensile direction led to the occurrence of transgranular crack initiation and propagation, whereas the slow ramp rate caused intergranular initiation and propagation. The time-dependent processes and their synergistic interactions, which were at the basis of observed changes in cyclic stress response and fatigue life, were identified. Oxidation, creep damage, dynamic strain aging, massive carbide precipitation, time-dependent creep deformation, and deformation ratcheting were among the several factors influencing cyclic life. Irrespective of the loading condition, the largest effect on life was exerted by oxidation processes. Deformation ratcheting had its greatest influence on life under asymmetrical loading conditions. Creep damage accumulated the greatest amount during the slow tensile ramp under S-F conditions.

Mechanisms of high-temperature fatigue failure in alloy 800H

The effect of strain rate on massive precipitation and the mechanism for the occurrence of massive precipitation of M23C6 in alloy 800H is investigated during elevated temperature low cycle fatigue testing. It was observed that large M23C6 platelets were in the vicinity of grain and incoherent twin boundaries. The strain controlled fatigue testing at higher strain rates that promoted cyclic hardening enabled massive precipitation to occur more easily.

H. Schuster

Papers

Influence of time and temperature dependent processes on strain controlled low cycle fatigue behavior of alloy 617

Creep-fatigue interaction of inconel 617 at 950°C in simulated nuclear reactor helium

Temperature and strain-rate effects on low-cycle fatigue behavior of alloy 800H

Mechanisms of high-temperature fatigue failure in alloy 800H

On massive carbide precipitation during high temperature low cycle fatigue in alloy 800H