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This study presents the results of microstructure and hardness tests of a homogenous welded joint made of Super 304H stainless steel after 1000 h of ageing at the temperature of 700 and 750°C. Super 304H steel is commonly used for high-pressure elements of modern power units for supercritical steam parameters. The article compares hardness with the microstructure images in the initial state and after ageing. The microstructure tests were carried out based on scanning microscopy, while the hardness tests were carried out on a stationary hardness tester in the HV10 scale. An increase in hardness after ageing was observed, which is directly related to the initiated precipitation process, both in the weld and base materials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

P92 steel is a modern martensitic heat-resistant steel currently used for seamless products for pressure equipment operating in supercritical operating parameters. The paper presents the results of a study on the strength properties and structure of a P92 steel welded joint used for pressure components of power units. The paper presents an assessment of the suitability for further operation of both the parent material and a circumferential similar welded joint of finished products in the form of P92 steel pipes after annealing for 3000 hours at 600 and 650°C. Annealing at 650°C results in faster increase in the size of the precipitates and their coagulation along grain boundaries of former austenite and martensite laths. The changes in mechanical properties were compared in relation to the state of the structure of the parent material and the material of the welded joint. Quantitative analysis of M23C6 precipitates was also carried out. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article presents the results of investigations on HR6W alloy and Sanicro 25 steel and the dissimilar welded joint made of them. The characteristic images of microstructure of the investigated materials in the as-received condition and following the creep test, observed with a scanning electron microscope (SEM), are shown. The X-ray analysis of phase composition of the existing precipitates was carried out. The method for evaluation of creep strength based on abridged creep tests carried out at a temperature higher than the design one is presented. The obtained results do not deviate from the values of creep strength determined in long-term creep tests. The maximum difference in creep strength of the investigated materials is ±20%, which is in compliance with the acceptable scatter band. The methodology presented can be used for verification of creep strength (life time) of the material of finished components to be operated under creep conditions.

This paper presents the characteristics of the performance of P91 (X10CrMoVNb9-1), P92 (X10CrWMoVNb9-2) and VM12 (X12CrCoWVNb12-2-2) steels used for condition assessment of the pressure components of boilers with supercritical steam parameters. Studies on the mechanical properties, microstructure tests using scanning and transmission electron microscopy, and X-ray analysis of the phase composition of precipitates were performed for selected steels in the as-received condition and after long-term annealing. These steel characteristics are used for the evaluation of the microstructural changes and mechanical properties of the material of components after long-term service. The result of this study is the database of material characteristics representing the mechanical properties related to the microstructure analysis and it can be used for diagnosis of the components of pressure parts of power boilers.

The paper shows the degradation process of the modern austenitic Super 304H (X10CrNiCuNb18-9-3) steel which was subjected to long-term ageing for up to 50 000 h at 650 and 700°C. The investigations include microstructure examination (SEM), identification and analysis of the precipitation process, and mechanical properties tests. The Super 304H steel has a structure characteristic of austenitic steels with visible annealing twins and single primary NbX precipitates. Long-term ageing in steel leads to numerous precipitation processes of M23C6, MX carbides, s phase, Z phase, and e-Cu phase. Precipitation processes lead to a decrease in plastic properties and impact energy as well as alloy over ageing. Yield strength and tensile strength values after 50 000 h of ageing were similar to those as delivered. The yield and tensile strength value strongly depend on the applied ageing temperature. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]