Correlation of Plain and Notched Bar Creep Behavior in Grade 91 Steel

Axi-symmetrical notched bar specimens are often used as a means of evaluating the effect of stress multiaxiality on material behavior under various loading conditions in a relatively easy way. In order to understand the possible correlation existing between plain and notched bar creep behavior of various materials with different characteristics, creep tests were systematically performed at 625°C for plain and notched bar specimens made from 6 heats of Grade 91 steel. They showed a wide variety in terms of creep rupture strength as well as in ductility when tested in a form of plain bar but also in notched bar to a larger extent. Strong similarities were found between the heat-dependency of creep strength and ductility of plain bar and notched bar specimens. Possibility of estimating notched bar behavior from the information obtained by plain bar tests was shown.