Abstract
It was analyzed the causes of boiler tube rupture due to a degradation and corrosion on the boiler tubes in fossil power plant. The experiments were carried out among samples taken from the operating facilities. The result were analyzed based on experimental results from mechanical strength, microstructure observation, and hardness measurement in order to determine the cause of local rupture on boiler tubes. In general, 2.25Cr-1Mo steel generates carbides, it is coarsened, its ductility and strength abruptly decreased as degradation is in progress, In order to confirm this phenomenon, we observed changes of the mount of Cr and Mo of carbide by carrying out EDX chemical composition analysis. The amount of Cr and Mo in the degraded material or service exposed material gradually increased the amount of Mo but initially they were almost maintained at the same amount. Furthermore, we observed that the carbide become coarsened both in the grain and at the grain boundary. Tensile test was carried out to measure a material hardness and to recognize a drop-off of hardness. Overall result for tensile strength and hardness turned out to be lower than new material and mechanical strength and hardness was degraded as the material degradation was in progress.