Creep Behavior of P92 Steel in the Steam Environment at 600 °C Using Miniature Three-Point Bend Test

A miniature three-point bend test system with steam-circulating device was introduced in order to study the interaction behavior between steam oxidation and tensile, compressive creep of P92 steel at 600 °C. It was observed that the formation of oxidation scale accelerated creep deformation which induced by reducing the effective stress on underlying metal. The oxidation mechanisms as well as oxidation kinetics on tensile and compressive surface were examined by scanning electron microscope, x-ray diffraction and energy-dispersive spectrometer. It can be revealed that applied tensile and compressive loading had strong influence on oxidation rate rather than on oxidation mechanism. Furthermore, a mechanical model coupled with oxidation scale growth was proposed to predict the deformation rate of the miniature three-point specimen which could agree well with the experimental results.