Creep crack growth in Type 316 austenitic stainless steel at temperatures of 550 to 6250C

The results of crack propagation measurements on Compact Tension specimens of Type 316 steel are presented as correlations with net section stress, stress intensity factor and the C* parameter. A temperature dependence is observed for each type of correlation. It is concluded that although net section stress currently provides the most readily applicable correlating parameter appropriate for creep crack propagation rates in Type 316 steel, the C* energy rate line integral also provides valid correlations. A comparison between a number of methods of calculating C* from measured displacement rates shows that representative values of C* can be calculated from the simplified Koterazawa and Mori equation. (author)