Prediction of creep deformation in ductile two-phase alloys by a continuum mechanics model

Abstract

The creep deformation of the ductile two-phase alloys was analysed on the basis of the continuum mechanics model which incorporated the Θ projection concept proposed by Evans and Wilshire. The calculated creep curves were compared with the experimental ones in ferrjte-pearlite steels. It was found that the continuum mechanics model was able to predict the whole creep deformation process of the ductile two-phase alloys from the onset of creep loading to the final rupture, if the creep-deformation and creep-rupture data of the individual phases which constituted the two-phase alloys were known. A “steady-state creep” in the ductile two-phase alloys was predicted by the continuum mechanics model to occur, even if the constituent phases did not have the inherent steady-state creep. This was caused by the internal stresses arising from the creep-strength difference between second-phase and matrix in the two-phase alloys. This steady-state creep was observed in ferrite-pearlite steels during creep at 873 K. The predicted rupture life on the basis of the continuum mechanics model was correlated well with the experimental results in ferrite-pearlite steels, although the former was somewhat shorter than the latter under higher creep stresses. The continuum mechanics model was able to apply to the life prediction and the creep-strength design of the ductile two-phase alloys.