Deformation in 2CrMo-1/2CrMoV pressure vessel weldments at elevated temperature

The elastic and creep deformation occurring in low alloy ferritic steel pipe to pipe weldments has been studied in pressure vessel experiments carried out at 838 K and a range of internal steam pressures. The welds were made in heavy section 1/2CrMoV parent pipe, using 2CrMo weld metal and tested in either the as-welded or stress relieved condition. The results obtained are analysed in terms of the deformations that occur in the hoop and axial direction of the parent pipe and weld metals. Elastically the parent pipe and weld metals behave identically, and both exhibit primary and steady state creep. The steady state behaviour of the parent pipe agrees with that expected from multi-axial creep deformation theory. The stress relieved welds behave similarly to the parent pipe in the hoop direction, but not in the axial direction. This is considered to be due to offloading of stress predominantly in the hoop direction. In the as-welded condition, the hoop and axial creep strains and strain rates are greater than in the parent pipe or stress relieved welds. The reasons for this are discussed in terms of welding residual stresses. (author)