The aim of this book is to investigate and explain the rapid advances in the characterization of high temperature crack growth behaviour which have been made in recent years, with reference to industrial applications. Complicated mathematics has been minimized with the emphasis placed instead on finding solutions using simplified procedures without the need for complex numerical analysis.

A compendium of European and worldwide research investigating creep, fatigue and failure behaviors in metals under high-temperature and other service stresses. It helps set the standards for coordinating creep data and for maintaining defect-free quality in high-temperature metals and metal-based weldments.

Coal- and gas-based power plants currently supply the largest proportion of the world's power generation capacity, and are required to operate to increasingly stringent environmental standards. Higher temperature combustion is therefore being adopted to improve plant efficiency and to maintain net power output given the energy penalty that integration of advanced emissions control systems cause. However, such operating regimes also serve to intensify degradation mechanisms within power plant systems, potentially affecting their reliability and lifespan.Power plant life management and performance improvement critically reviews the fundamental degradation mechanisms that affect conventional power plant systems and components, as well as examining the operation and maintenance approaches and advanced plant rejuvenation and retrofit options that the industry are applying to ensure overall plant performance improvement and life management.Part one initially reviews plant operation issues, including fuel flexibility, condition monitoring and performance assessment. Parts two, three and four focus on coal boiler plant, gas turbine plant, and steam boiler and turbine plant respectively, reviewing environmental degradation mechanisms affecting plant components and their mitigation via advances in materials selection and life management approaches, such as repair, refurbishment and upgrade. Finally, part five reviews issues relevant to the performance management and improvement of advanced heat exchangers and power plant welds.With its distinguished editor and international team of contributors, Power plant life management and performance improvement is an essential reference for power plant operators, industrial engineers and metallurgists, and researchers interested in this important field. - Provides an overview of the improvements to plant efficiency in coal- and gas-based power plants - Critically reviews the fundamental degradation mechanisms that affect conventional power plant systems and components, noting mitigation routes alongside monitoring and assessment methods - Addresses plant operation issues including fuel flexibility, condition monitoring and performance assessment

Fracture is a major cause of failure in metallic and non-metallic materials and structures. An understanding of the micro- and macro- mechanisms of fracture enables materials scientists to develop materials with high fracture resistance, which in turn helps engineers and designers to ensure the soundness and integrity of structures made from these materials. The International Congress on Fracture is held every four years and is an occasion to take stock of the major achievements in the broad field of fracture, to honour those who have made lasting contributions to this field, and to reflect on the future directions. ICF9 is published in six volumes covering the areas of:-- Failure Analysis, Remaining Life Assessment, Life Extension and Repair- Failure of Multiphase and Non-Metallic Materials- Fatigue of Metallic and Non-Metallic Materials and Structures- Theoretical and Computational Fracture Mechanics and New Directions- Testing and Characterization Methods, and Interfacial Fracture Mechanics- High Strain Rate Fracture and Impact Mechanics.

Significant progress in the science and technology of the mechanical behaviour of materials has been made in recent years. The greatest strides forward have occurred in the field of advanced materials with high performance, such as ceramics, composite materials, and intermetallic compounds. The Sixth International Conference on Mechanical Behaviour of Materials (ICM-6), taking place in Kyoto, Japan, 29 July - 2 August 1991 addressed these issues. In commemorating the fortieth anniversary of the Japan Society of Materials Science, organised by the Foundation for Advancement of International Science and supported by the Science Council of Japan, the information provided in these proceedings reflects the international nature of the meeting. It provides a valuable account of recent developments and problems in the field of mechanical behaviour of materials.

The aim of this major reference work is to provide a first point of entry to the literature for the researchers in any field relating to structural integrity in the form of a definitive research/reference tool which links the various sub-disciplines that comprise the whole of structural integrity. Special emphasis will be given to the interaction between mechanics and materials and structural integrity applications. Because of the interdisciplinary and applied nature of the work, it will be of interest to mechanical engineers and materials scientists from both academic and industrial backgrounds including bioengineering, interface engineering and nanotechnology. The scope of this work encompasses, but is not restricted to: fracture mechanics, fatigue, creep, materials, dynamics, environmental degradation, numerical methods, failure mechanisms and damage mechanics, interfacial fracture and nano-technology, structural analysis, surface behaviour and heart valves. The structures under consideration include: pressure vessels and piping, off-shore structures, gas installations and pipelines, chemical plants, aircraft, railways, bridges, plates and shells, electronic circuits, interfaces, nanotechnology, artificial organs, biomaterial prostheses, cast structures, mining... and more. Case studies will form an integral part of the work.

This book presents failure mechanisms of different boiler components and preventive measures. It illustrates the basic steam flow and circuit design of steam boiler, boiler design parameters, boiler components materials and their behavior at different temperatures. The book aims to identify the cause(s) of in-service failure of secondary superheater tube, platen superheater tube and furnace water wall tube and also presents the solutions to avoid the future failures. This volume will be of interest to researchers and professionals working in the areas of energy, power generation, electric power plants, thermodynamics, industrial chemistry, etc.

Creep-resistant steels are widely used in the petroleum, chemical and power generation industries. Creep-resistant steels must be reliable over very long periods of time at high temperatures and in severe environments. Understanding and improving long-term creep strength is essential for safe operation of plant and equipment. This book provides an authoritative summary of key research in this important area.The first part of the book describes the specifications and manufacture of creep-resistant steels. Part two covers the behaviour of creep-resistant steels and methods for strengthening them. The final group of chapters analyses applications in such areas as turbines and nuclear reactors.With its distinguished editors and international team of contributors, Creep-resistant steels is a valuable reference for the power generation, petrochemical and other industries which use high strength steels at elevated temperatures. - Describes the specifications and manufacture of creep-resistant steels - Strengthening methods are discussed in detail - Different applications are analysed including turbines and nuclear reactors