High-temperature operation of the components and constructions made from newly developed chromium steels

Steel with its more than 2500 grades is considered to be one of the main construction material, and has strict specialization for different application areas. Even slight variations in steel chemical composition can have the effect on material structure on the atomic level and improve the material properties. Fraunhofer Institute of Material Mechanics (IWM) is the leader of the EU-created Z-Ultra project consortium that has developed new chromium steels with 12% Cr content for high-temperature application. These steels have tensile strength higher by 30% in comparison with conventional chromium steels with 9% Cr content; they are also able to operate more long time in the conditions of high temperatures and high pressures at electric power plants.