Assessment of material properties using finite element analysis for small punch creep testing

Recently small punch creep testing (or miniature disc bend creep test) has received much attention through European collaborative research projects. This method was considered as a substitute for the conventional creep rupture testing by which the residual creep life is measured from the specimen taken out from serviced components of high temperature plants. It would be beneficial if the material creep properties such as power law creep constants as well as the creep rupture life can be measured from the small punch creep test. In this paper a method of assessing creep constants from the small punch creep testing is proposed. Finite element analyses were performed to investigate evolution of stress and strain rate at the weakest locations of the small punch creep specimen. Elastic-plastic-secondary creep analyses were carried out. The estimation equations for creep constants by the small punch creep testing are proposed based on the finite analysis results. Small punch creep tests were also performed with 9Cr steel and the accuracy of the proposed equation was verified by the experimental results