Abstract
Quantitative measurements of the number of cavities per unit area, mean cavity size, and cavitated area fraction are carried out on creep tested specimens of a 12Cr–Mo–V martensitic steel. Both interrupted and ruptured specimens are included. Cavities initiate at an early stage of tests. The number of cavities, mean cavity size, and cavitated area fraction exhibit a continued increase with increasing strain and time. At rupture, the number of cavities is about 30 000 mm−2, and the mean cavity size has a maximum value of about 2·5 μm.The cavitated area fraction is approximately 0·1% at 1% strain, 0·5% at 2% strain, and 10% at rupture. Cavity initiation and growth are analysed regarding temperature, stress, strain, and strain rate. A constrained cavity growth model is discussed and compared with the experimental results.
MST/3097