Use of mobile metallography to assess the extent of damage to high temperature components in power plants

Microstructural replicas are used in recurrent testing of hot, pressuriszed components to detect creep damage. The test location must be representative of the damage development and subsequent component failure. Poor preparation leads to the formation of artefacts which are considered in the damage assessment. The assessment is subject to method and operator variability. When assessing the life of components based on microstructure replicas, these must be taken into account and, if necessary, extended stress calculations for the component must be used.