An Empirical Approach to Analyze Creep Rupture Behavior of P91 Steel

P91 steel has been a highly researched material because of its applicability for high-temperature applications. Considerable efforts have been made to produce experimental creep data and develop models for creep life prediction. As creep tests are expensive and difficult to conduct, it is vital to develop authenticated empirical methods from experimental results that can be utilized for better understanding of creep behavior and can be incorporated into computational models for reliable prediction of creep life. In this research, a series of creep rupture tests are performed on the P91 specimens within a stress range of 155 MPa to 200 MPa and temperature range of 640 °C (913 K) to 675 °C (948 K). The microstructure, hardness, and fracture surfaces of the specimens are investigated. To analyze the results of the creep rupture tests at a macro level, a parameter called creep work density is derived. Then, the relationships between various creep parameters such as strain, strain rate, time to rupture, creep damage tolerance factor, and creep work density are investigated, and various empirical equations are obtained.