Mar 29, 2010

Creep-fatigue testing simulates the loading and temperature conditions experienced by turbine components of aircraft engines, nuclear reactor components and fossil power plant components during service. With increasing need for cyclic operation during peak power demands, reliable creep-fatigue test data is necessary for the life assessment of aging power plants.

A new ASTM standard, ASTM E2714, Test Method for Creep-Fatigue Testing, provides a means for this type of testing. The new standard was developed by Subcommittee E08.05 on Cyclic Deformation and Fatigue Crack Formation, part of ASTM International Committee E08 on Fatigue and Fracture.

According to Ashok Saxena, Ph.D., dean, distinguished professor and Irma and Raymond Giffels’ Endowed Chair, College of Engineering, University of Arkansas, test results from the standard can be used to assess the suitability of materials for demanding applications in which safety is a primary concern.

“The results are also used to predict the design and remaining life of components that operate at high temperatures and to determining how frequently these components must be inspected for damage in the form of cracks during services,” says Saxena, one of the co-chairs of the task group that developed E2714.

Saxena notes that all constituents who will benefit from ASTM E2714 have been involved in its development through the task group and a round robin study. Primary users of the standard will include manufacturers and operators of equipment that runs at high temperatures, such as steam and gas turbines for air, sea and land operations, as well as the chemical, defense and aerospace industries.

Saxena and Bilal Dogan, senior manager, Electrical Power Research Institute, Charlotte, N.C., and co-chair of the E2714 task group, encourage all interested parties to participate in the ongoing activities of Subcommittees E08.05 and E08.06 working on test standards for creep-fatigue testing. Subcommittee E08.06 on Crack Growth Behavior is now working on a complementary test standard for measuring creep-fatigue crack growth.

To purchase ASTM standards, visit www.astm.org and search by the standard designation number, or contact ASTM Customer Relations (phone: 610-832-9585; https://www.astm.org/contact/).  ASTM International welcomes and encourages participation in the development of its standards. For more information on becoming an ASTM member, visit www.astm.org/JOIN.

ASTM Committee E08 Next Meeting: May 17-20, May committee week, St. Louis, Mo.
Technical Contact: Ashok Saxena, Ph.D, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, Arkansas, Phone: 479-575-3054; asaxena@uark.edu
ASTM Staff Contact: Jeffrey Adkins, Phone: 610-832-9738; jadkins@astm.org
ASTM PR Contact: Barbara Schindler, Phone: 610-832-9603; bschindl@astm.org

Release #8538