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High-temperature Deformation Behavior of HP40Nb Micro-alloyed Reformer Steel

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Abstract

Reformer tubes are designed for prolonged service conditions at high temperatures and pressures in petrochemical industries for the production of hydrogen-rich gas. Frequent premature failures of reformer tubes are encountered due to the microstructural degradation of the material. Analysis of the tensile and creep deformation behavior of HP40Nb micro-alloyed steel at temperatures ranging from 800 to 1200 °C is presented in this paper. The Young’s modulus, yield strength, and ultimate tensile strength of the micro-alloyed steel decreased, and the ductility increased with the increase in temperature up to 1000 °C. The stress–temperature-dependent steady state creep rate obeys Young’s modulus compensated power-law relationship. The stress exponent and activation energy for creep were determined to be 7.96 and 332.65 kJ/mol. The predicted minimum creep rates were compared with the experimental values. It is possible to predict the value of minimum creep rate within an error less than ±7%. Analysis of fractured surfaces reveals brittle fracture up to 800 °C, while at higher temperature, dimple fractures are predominant.

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Acknowledgments

The authors acknowledge NRL, India for providing the reformer tube. The authors also thank Central Instruments Facility, Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati, India to carry out the SEM analysis.

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  1. Department of Mechanical Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati, Guwahati, India

    Amitava Ghatak & P. S. Robi

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  1. Amitava Ghatak
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Correspondence to Amitava Ghatak.

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Ghatak, A., Robi, P.S. High-temperature Deformation Behavior of HP40Nb Micro-alloyed Reformer Steel. Metallogr. Microstruct. Anal. 4, 508–517 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13632-015-0235-z

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s13632-015-0235-z

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