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Analysis of the Degradation Process of Structural Steel Component Subjected to Prolonged Thermal Exposure

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Abstract

A steel frame installed in a metallurgical plant, subjected to prolonged temperature exposure, presented distortion, cracking, and oxidation at areas that could compromise its structural integrity. Further assessment of mechanical properties indicated an acute reduction of tensile strength up to 33%. Metallurgical examination revealed significant microstructural degradation involving cementite spheroidization and graphite formation due to carbon diffusion and coalescence that caused softening. Fractographic evaluation addressed the fracture mechanisms in damaged and unaffected areas, which supported the previously stated differences in mechanical properties, as a result of thermal deterioration processes occurred during service in industrial furnace conditions.

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Acknowledgments

The authors wish to express special thanks to Plant Maintenance team for the assistance in background information and fruitful discussions.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. ELKEME Hellenic Research Centre for Metals S.A., 56th km Athens – Lamia National Road, 32011, Oinofyta Viotias, Greece

    George Pantazopoulos, Anagnostis Toulfatzis, Athanasios Vazdirvanidis & Andreas Rikos

Authors
  1. George Pantazopoulos
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  2. Anagnostis Toulfatzis
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  3. Athanasios Vazdirvanidis
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  4. Andreas Rikos
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Correspondence to George Pantazopoulos.

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Pantazopoulos, G., Toulfatzis, A., Vazdirvanidis, A. et al. Analysis of the Degradation Process of Structural Steel Component Subjected to Prolonged Thermal Exposure. Metallogr. Microstruct. Anal. 5, 149–156 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13632-016-0273-1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s13632-016-0273-1

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