Creep Life Predictions of Engineering Components: Problems & Prospects

The paper critically examines the advantages and limitations of empirical and constitutive equation based approaches for creep strain prediction. While both may give similar predictions, the latter provides physical insight into the underlying mechanisms and suggests ways and means of improving creep resistance of high temperature materials. None of the methods as of now can estimate the reliability of material parameters required because of limited availability of creep strain time data. This is where more attention needs to be given otherwise practicing engineers would continue to depend on more readily available stress rupture data for life prediction of high temperature components.