Effect of the microstructure evolution on the high-temperature strength of P92 heat-resistant steel for different service times

Grade 92 heat-resistant steel is an important material for ultra-supercritical units. The degradation of the P92 properties affects the safety of structural components during long-term service. In this paper, the microstructural evolution of P92 depending on different service times was quantitatively studied using scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy. The effect of each strengthening mechanism on the strength of P92 is discussed. The results show that the dimensions of M23C6 and Laves phases increase with increasing service time, but the growth rate of the Laves phase is higher than that of M23C6 and the size of MX carbonitrides remains almost unchanged. The width of the martensite lath increases from the initial 350 nm–750 nm after 70,000 h of service. The dislocation density significantly decreases and then stabilizes with increasing service time. The high- and room temperature tensile properties worsen and then stabilize during long-term service. The thermal yield stress of P92 during service was calculated. The results show that the high-temperature strength of P92 steel is mainly affected by lath and dislocation hardening during the initial service time; as the service time increases, the strengthening mechanism transforms into lath and precipitate hardening.