Z-parameter Method for Damage Evaluation in HK40 Steel

A Z-parameter method is used to evaluate the damage process of HK40 austenitic steel. By using Z-parameter based on the Larson-Miller method, the nonlinear master curve of the log stress vs Larson-Miller parameter P can be expressed as： P=27.74-3.41gσ-0.032σ, and a family of curves parallel to the master curve can be written as： P=（27.74-Z）-3.41gσ-0.032σ, where Z represents the magnitude of the deviation from the master curve. According to the creep rupture data both from different segments of a serviced tube and from the same segment locations with different service time, the value of parameter Z has close relationship with the deterioration of creep rupture properties. The damage state of the samples is evaluated by monitoring the changes in natural frequency f and Young＇s modulus E, and the relationships between Z and the damage parameters are discussed.