Experimental creep behavior and life prediction through observation and numerical analysis for AISI 310

The present study conducted for the first time a life prediction based on numerical analysis of creep deformation and fracture behavior results of special notched specimens of AISI 310 steel. For this purpose, flat creep specimens with double edge notch were tested under stress is of 225, 160 and 100 MPa at temperatures of 700, 675 and 650 °C. Then it was analyzed the creep behavior of the material through observational and numerical analysis. Furthermore, the Q* parameter was used to establish a novel life predication equation for 310 steel. The creep curves were characteristic of the experiment, with a strong influence of the stress in the creep stage II. Using the Q* parameter, a good agreement was observed between the experimental and the calculated data. The characteristic of fracture surfaces was dependent on both stress and temperature with a transition from ductile fracture, with formation of dimples, to brittle intergranular fractures, evidenced by cavities in the grain boundaries. Coalescence and growth of microcracks on the specimen surface were also observed in a region at 45° from the notch tip, characteristic of the damage propagation caused by the creep test.