Life prediction of 316FR stainless steel under creep-fatigue loading with elastic follow-up

Creep-fatigue tests of low-carbon and medium-nitrogen type 316 stainless st eel including elastic follow-up were carried out and the effect of elastic follow-up on the creep-fatigue life was discussed. Crack growth was observe d throughout the Life and it was faster in elastic follow-up tests than in strain-controlled tests. Creep-fatigue life prediction was made by estimati ng inelastic strain behavior during displacement holding. The ductility exh austion rule gave good life prediction, whereas the time fraction rule was non-conservative as the failure life became longer. The ductility exhaustio n rule is recommended for estimating creep damage under conditions of creep -fatigue loading with elastic follow-up. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science Ltd. ALI rights reserved.