Long-term rupture strength as a criterion of operational durability of steam line metal

The method for substantiation of the steam line service life prolongation, depending on the achieved level of the metal vulnerability to damage, is proposed. The methodology for evaluating the metal state is developed on the basis of the durability bond with the level of the vulnerability to damage through micropores and the ferrite dislocation structure state. The main changes in the metal at the 1-3 stages of its creep are presented. The micropores are absent at the 1 stage. the micropores of about 0.1 μm in diameter are identified at the beginning of the 2 stage. The ferrite grains on the transition from the 2 to the 3 creep stage are mainly fragmentary. There takes place further micropores growth on the grain boundaries up to 1 - 3 μm. Significant number of recrystallized volumes in the ferrite is observed at the 3 creep stage. The number of micropores of 1 - 3μm in size sharply increases, and, as a rule, chains of micropores are observed. The pores of 5 μm in size are formed at the pre-destruction stage, the fusion whereof leads to microcracks formation