MICROSTRUCTURE AND MECHANICAL PROPERTIES DEGRADATION OF CrMo CREEP RESISTANT STEEL OPERATING UNDER CREEP CONDITIONS

In this contribution microstructure degradation of a steam tube is analysed. The tube is made of CrMo creep resistant steel and was in service under creep conditions at temperature 530°C and calculated stress level in the tube wall 46.5 MPa. During service life in the steel gradual micro structure changes were observed, first pearlite spheroidization, precipitation, coagulation and precipitate coarsening. Despite the fact that there were evident changes in the micro structure the strength and deformation properties of the steel (Re, Rm, A5, Z), the resistance to brittle fracture and the creep strength limit, were near to unchanged after 2.1x10 5 hours in service. The steam tube is now in service more than 2.6x10 5 h.