Biaxial Cyclic Deformation and Creep-Fatigue Behavior of Materials for Solar Thermal Systems

Biaxial cyclic deformation and creep-fatigue data for Incoloy 800 and Type 316H stainless steel at elevated temperature are presented. Tubular specimens were subjected to constant internal pressure and strain-controlled axial cycling with and without hold times in tension as well as in compression. The results show that the internal pressure affects diametral ratchetting and axial stress range significantly. However, the effect of a relatively small and steady hoop stress on the cyclic life of the materials is minimal. A 1-min compressive hold per cycle does not seriously reduce the fatigue life of either material; a tensile hold of equal duration causes a significant reduction in life for Type 316H stainless steel, but none for Incoloy 800. Fracture surfaces of specimens made of both materials were studied by scanning electron microscopy to determine the reason for the difference in behavior.