The role of energy in the modern world goes beyond mere technology and economics to influence welfare, the environment, the quality of life and, in broad terms, civilization itself. Since the Industrial Revolution, energy conservation technology has been at the forefront of the innovation required to satisfy the needs of mankind and, more than any other, this technology has always depended on the performance of the materials used.

Due to their continuing role in electricity generation, it is important that coal power plants operate as efficiently and cleanly as possible. Coal Power Plant Materials and Life Assessment reviews the materials used in coal plants, and how they can be assessed and managed to optimize plant operation. Part I considers the structural alloys used in coal plants. Part II then reviews performance modelling and life assessment techniques, explains the inspection and life-management approaches that can be adopted to optimize long term plant operation, and considers the technical and economic issues involved in meeting variable energy demands. - Summarizes key research on coal-fired power plant materials, their behavior under operational loads, and approaches to life assessment and defect management - Details the range of structural alloys used in coal power plants, and the life assessment techniques applicable to defect-free components under operational loads - Reviews the life assessment techniques applicable to components containing defects and the approaches that can be adopted to optimize plant operation and new plant and component design

This book discusses several mechanical and material problems that are typical for gas turbine components. It discusses accelerated tests and other methods for increasing the reliability of gas turbine engines. Special attention is given to non-traditional methods for calculating the strength characteristics and longevity of the main components. This first volume focuses on the selection of materials, deformation and destruction mechanisms in connection with stationary and non-stationary loading, and types of material damage such as the thermal fatigue. Particular attention is paid to the issues of the properties of single crystal alloys, the relationship between structure and properties, the influence of technological factors and long-term operation. The characteristics of creep resistance, crack resistance, and resistance to cyclic deformation of different alloys are given.

The aim of the 6th International Fatigue Congress, besides covering the entire field of fatigue, was to promote the intimate connection between basic science and engineering application by the selection of appropriate session topics.Fatigue is the main cause of failure of engineering structures and components. Making reliable fatigue predictions is highly difficult because knowledge about fatigue mechanisms in all stages of the fatigue process must be developed much further. In addition, the decreasing availability of raw materials and energy resources forces engineers to continually reduce the weight of constructions. This congress presents research results also particularly for new materials, including composites. Researchers, on the other hand, are confronted with the engineering demands. Futhermore, the overwhelming development which is presently taking place in the field of computer software and hardware dealing with fatigue problems is outlined along with the directions of future developments in all areas of fatigue.Close to 300 fully peer-reviewed papers are published in the proceedings, including nearly 30 overview and keynote papers covering the various session topics. The proceedings should therefore serve as a comprehensive review of the fatigue field at the present state-of-the-art, suitable for scientists, engineers and students.

Current fleets of conventional and nuclear power plants face increasing hostile environmental conditions due to increasingly high temperature operation for improved capacity and efficiency, and the need for long term service. Additional challenges are presented by the requirement to cycle plants to meet peak-load operation. This book presents a comprehensive review of structural materials in conventional and nuclear energy applications. Opening chapters address operational challenges and structural alloy requirements in different types of power plants. The following sections review power plant structural alloys and methods to mitigate critical materials degradation in power plants.

Provides information from around the world on creep in multiple high-temperature metals, alloys, and advanced materials.

A compendium of European and worldwide research investigating creep, fatigue and failure behaviors in metals under high-temperature and other service stresses. It helps set the standards for coordinating creep data and for maintaining defect-free quality in high-temperature metals and metal-based weldments.