The creep properties at ambient temperature of some high strength steels

Little information is available on the long-term mechanical properties of high strength steels at ambient temperatures. In particular, creep characteristics are virtually unknown and difficult to estimate from simple tensile tests in which very little deformation may be exhibited before fracture. Most room temperature applications of high strength steels do not require prior knowledge of creep properties. It is assumed that up to 80 per cent ultimate tensile stress (UTS) no creep occurs. However, there are applications in which dimensional stability during operation is of such importance that any creep occurring under applied load could be critical. Therefore, the magnitude of this creep must be known and taken into account during design. Gas centrifuges for the enrichment of uranium represent such an application. The current work has as a primary goal, the generation of relevant design information. A secondary aim is to make pertinent suggestions for improvements in desired properties