Abstract
This paper investigates the time-dependent crack growth in X20CrMoV 12 1 steel weld joints. Crack growth test are carried out $545^{\circ}C$ on side-grooved 1/2T CT specimens under static loads. A simulated material is produced for the intercritical HAZ, where fracture normally occurs. Constitutive properties are obtained for the simulated HAZ material as well as for the base metal and weld metal. Finite element analyses of crack growth are performed on the models with and without a HAZ layer, using the experimental crack length-time history. The inclusion of HAZ layer increase the load line velocities significantly. The crack growth rates are correlated reasonably well with $C^*$. The smallest crack size for the validity of $C^*$ is found much smaller than the ASTM crack initiation size for 1T CT specimen of creep ductile materials.
