Modeling creep damage based on real microstructure

This paper outlines a method to model creep failure of polycrystalline materials based on a real microstructure taken from an optical microscope. The creep failure is simulated in 304 stainless steel and the simulation is based on Norton's creep law. By treating the grain boundaries and the grains differently and adopting the void nucleation process proposed by Shewmon, the creep strain energy density can be used as a failure criterion. The result of the simulation confirmed the results of conventional methods used in a high-temperature remnant life assessment. The intermediate results of the simulation process allow calculation/monitoring of stiffnesses degradation as the material undergoes creep failure. © ASM International.