Study of microstructural changes in boiler tubes and usage of time approach for determining of tube's failure

Operation condition of boilers such as corrosive media, high temperature and pressure has a pronounced effect on quality and performance of its components. Among these, the effect of temperature in microstructure and degradation of mechanical properties of boiler tubes is of most importance. Change in dimension, morphology, chemical composition and carbide spacing are the most important microstructural changes. Methods of study of such changes (through the investigation of composition, carbide spacing and thermal softening) are pointed in this article. Then, a number of failed super-heater tubes of a power plant were microlithography examined. Remaining life of tubes could be estimated by comparison of the results of metallographic and replication tests with microstructural standards