Takashi Wakai

Bio: Takashi Wakai is an academic researcher from Japan Atomic Energy Agency. The author has contributed to research in topics: Creep & Stress relaxation. The author has an hindex of 5, co-authored 31 publications receiving 121 citations.

Creep rupture life and damage evaluation under multiaxial stress state for type 304 stainless steel

Abstract: The biaxial creep damage of type 304 stainless steel is studied at 973 K. Biaxial tension creep tests were carried out using cruciform specimens under the principal stress ratio ( λ ) of 0 ≦ λ ≦ 1, where the principal stress ratio is the ratio of y -directional principal stress to x -directional stress in the gage part of the specimen ( λ = σ y / σ x ). Creep rupture times under biaxial stress conditions were shorter than those in uniaxial conditions at the same von Mises equivalent stress. Earlier void nucleation and faster void growth were observed in creep tests at larger principal stress ratio tests. Creep rupture times in biaxial stress states were discussed in relation to the void observations.

Creep Strength Evaluation of Welded Joint Made of Modified 9Cr-1Mo Steel for Japanese Sodium Cooled Fast Reactor (JSFR)

Abstract: This paper describes a proposal of provisional allowable stress for the welded joints made of modified 9Cr-1Mo steel (ASME Gr.91) applicable to the structural design of Japanese Sodium cooled Fast Reactor (JSFR). For the early commercialization of the SFRs, economic competitiveness is one of the most essential requirements. One of the most practical means to reduce the construction costs is to diminish the total amount of structural materials. To meet the requirements, modified 9Cr-1Mo steel has attractive characteristics as a main structural material of SFRs, because the steel has both excellent thermal properties and high temperature strength. Employing the steel to the main pipe material, remarkable compact plant design can be achieved. There is only one elbow in the hot leg pipe of the primary circuit. However, in such a compact piping, it is difficult to keep enough distance between welded joint and high stress portion. In the welded joints of creep strength enhanced ferritic steels including ASME Gr.91 (modified 9Cr-1Mo) steel, creep strength may obviously degrade especially in long-term region. This phenomenon is known as “Type-IV” damage. Though obvious strength degradation has not observed at 550°C yet for the welded joint made of modified 9Cr-1Mo steel, it is proper to suppose strength degradation must take place in very long-term creep. Therefore, taking strength degradation due to “Type-IV” damage into account, the allowable stress applicable to JSFR pipe design was proposed based on creep rupture test data acquired in temperature accelerated conditions. Available creep rupture test data of welded joints made of modified 9Cr-1Mo steel provided by Japanese steel vender were collected. The database was analyzed by region partition method. The creep rupture data were divided into two regions of short-term and long-term and those were individually evaluated by regression analyses with Larson Miller Parameter (LMP). Boundary condition between short-term and long-term was half of 0.2% proof stress of base metal at corresponding temperature. First order equation of logarithm stress was applied. For conservativeness, allowable stress was proposed provisionally considering design factor for each region. Present design of JSFR hot leg pipe of primary circuit was evaluated using the proposed allowable stress. As a result, it was successfully demonstrated that the compact pipe design was assured. For validation of the provisional allowable stress, a series of long-term creep tests were started. In future, the provisional allowable stress will be properly reexamined when longer creep rupture data are obtained. In addition, some techniques to improve the performance of welded joints were surveyed and introduced.Copyright © 2010 by ASME

9%Cr heat resistant steels: Alloy design, microstructure evolution and creep response at 650 °C

Abstract: In this work 9%Cr alloys were designed supported by computational thermodynamic methods. Two sets of alloys were produced: 9%Cr alloys with 0.1%C and 0.05%C and 9%Cr alloys containing ∼0.03% Ti with 0.1%C and 0.05%C (always wt%). Microstructure investigations showed good agreement with the predicted phases of the thermodynamic modeling. The volume fraction of precipitated M 23 C 6 carbides is directly related to the carbon content of the alloys. For Ti-containing alloys the precipitation of nano-sized Ti-rich MX carbonitrides was observed. The microstructure evolution (sub-grain and particle size) during creep at 650 °C/100 MPa was investigated by STEM-HAADF. The sub-grain size evolution and the coarsening of precipitates (MX carbonitrides, M 23 C 6 and Laves phase) were more pronounced for Ti-containing alloys. 9Cr alloys without Ti and with low carbon content presented the highest creep strength of all investigated alloys.