This paper presents the method for determination of the time of further safe service for welded joints of boiler components after exceeding the design work time. The evaluation of the life of the parent material and its welded joints was performed. Microstructure investigations using a scanning electron microscope, investigations of strength properties, impact testing, hardness measurements and abridged creep tests of the basic material and welded joints were carried out. The investigations described in this paper allowed the time of further safe service of the examined components made of 13CrMo4-5 steel to be determined. The method for determination of the time of safe service of boiler components working under creep conditions allows their operation beyond the design service life. The obtained results of investigations are part of the materials database developed by the Institute for Ferrous Metallurgy.

The 22Cr25NiWCoCu austenitic stainless steel was developed by AB Sandvik Material Technology in Sweden. Due to its high creep strength and good corrosion resistance, this material is well suited for use in superheaters in advanced coal-fired power boilers as well as in other types of steam boilers using various types of fuel. The examined material was subject to long-term ageing for the time of annealing up to 20 000 h at 700 and 750°C. Precipitation processes and microstructure stability as-received and after ageing were investigated. Examination of the microstructure was conducted using scanning electron microscopy. The identification of secondary phases was carried out by X-ray phase composition.
Using the results of the investigations of precipitation processes in the microstructure, both within the grains and at the grain boundaries, their statistical analysis was carried out. To illustrate this impact, the following parameters were used: surface area and equivalent diameter of precipitates. Based on the surface area measurements, the percentage of the phase in the reviewed photo’s total area was calculated.

The S304H steel is used in the construction of pressure components of boilers with supercritical operating parameters. The paper presents the results of the research on the microstructure after ageing for 20,000 hours at 650 and 700°C. The microstructure examination was performed using scanning and transmission electron microscopy. The precipitates were identifies using transmission electron microscopy. The influence of ageing time on microstructure changes and the precipitation process of the tested steel is described. The presented research results are an element of material characteristics of the new generation of steel, which are used in the design work of pressure devices of steam boilers and in diagnostic work during operation.