Abstract
Recent in-service experiences have revealed critical vulnerabilities in creep-strength enhanced ferritic (CSEF) steels, with cracking potentially occurring surprisingly early in a component's operational life. Fabrication irregularities have been found to introduce substantial property deficiencies compared to average material performance, raising serious concerns among industry users regarding personnel safety and equipment reliability. In response, a collaborative research program between the Electric Power Research Institute and Structural Integrity Associates, Inc. has been initiated to comprehensively address these critical material challenges. The program's extensive scope encompasses a holistic approach to material management, including rigorous investigations spanning material procurement, shop fabrication, field erection, and appropriate quality assurance procedures for each implementation phase. The research will systematically examine the behavior of both base and weld metals, with a strategic focus on developing a comprehensive life prediction methodology and optimizing maintenance protocols. Beyond its core technical objectives, the program is designed to facilitate knowledge exchange through regular participant workshops, where both program-generated findings and global utility experiences will be critically reviewed and discussed to ensure the research maintains optimal direction and relevance. This collaborative effort aims to establish a robust framework for understanding, mitigating, and managing the complex challenges associated with CSEF steel materials in high-performance industrial applications.
