CANDIDATE MATERIALS FOR ADVANCED POWER-GENERATING PLANTS AND HIGH-TEMPERATURE HEAT-EXCHANGERS

The continuing development of fossil fuel fired power generation syste ms towards higher thermal efficiency requires the use of constructiona l materials of higher a strength and improved resistance to the aggres sive service atmospheres compared with the currently used steels. The properties of 9-12% chromium steels, austenitic steels and high temper ature alloys based on Fe or Ni are briefly reivewed with respect to th eir potential application in advanced power generation plants and high temperature heat exchangers. The possibilities and opportunities for further improvements in their properties are considered.