Sulfur Effects on High-Temperature Creep and Fracture Behavior of 25Cr35Ni–Nb Alloys

Centrifugal cast 25Cr35Ni–Nb alloy furnace tubes with different contents of S are selected to investigate effects of S addition on creep and fracture behavior. Rupture tests in air at 1100 °C and 17 MPa and slow rate tensile tests at 850 °C showed that the presence of S decreased the creep rupture life and elevated temperature ductility of 25Cr35Ni–Nb alloy obviously. Scanning electron micrographs (SEM) of the fracture and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) analysis results indicated that S was the important element to control creep rupture life and elevated temperature ductility. S segregated to grain boundaries at elevated temperatures, and blocky fine sulfide particles with smooth surface distribute on the grain boundaries. The presence of sulfides became effective nucleation sites for intergranular creep cavities. Micro cracks occurred by linking up cavities at elevated temperatures due to local stress concentration. Eventually, early failure happened.