Structural-&-Phase Condition and the Damageability of the Welded Joints of Steam Pipelines at Thermal Power Plants

The authors studied the interrelation between the type of structure and the damage rate of the welded joints of steam pipelines made of the heat-resistant pearlitic steels that were operated for a long time, i.e. more than 270 thousand hours in the conditions of creepage and low-cycle fatigue. The purpose of this research was to establish the interrelation between the structural-&-phase condition of the metal used for welded joints of the elements of steam systems and their damageability rate for the service life of welded joints exceeding 270 thousand hours. During the studies, the methods of optical and electron microscopy were used according to the requirements of the guideline documentation and also the methods that are used for the determination of mechanical properties. The level of their reliability has been substantiated and the residual life has been determined. To impart functional performances to welded joints we used well-known methods that were appropriately emended according to the structural changes of above joints. Such changes condition the conversion of the original structure of welded joints into the ferrite-carbide mixture. The availability of the conversion process of the initial structure on the thermal action zone sections (TAZ) of welded joints has essential distinctions due to a different disposition of metal to its own damageability. On the whole, the welded joints are damaged more intensively in comparison to the basic metal of steam pipelines. The analysis of the structural state of welded joints in the steam pipelines of thermal power plants as for the extension of their service life results in a considerable economic effect. Understanding the fact that the metal deterioration in welded joints adheres mainly to the fragile mechanism we managed to establish the level of their damageability that demands the renewal of damaged welded joints. We believe that the damageability level of welded joints that tots up to 0.25 or 0.35 of the volume of their TAZ section should be considered as critical for the service life exceeding 270 thousand hours. The damaged welded joints should be renewed throughout the time period of 15 to 20 thousand hours as soon as the specified damageability level is attained.