High temperature low cycle fatigue and creep-fatigue interaction behaviour of 316 and 316(N) weld metals and their weld joints

Total axial strain controlled low cycle fatigue tests were performed on 316L(N) SS base metal, 316 and 316(N) weld metals and their joints in the temperature range 773 to 873 K by employing strain amplitudes in the range +/-0.25% to +/-1.0% and strain rates between 3x10(-5) to 3x10(-2) s(-1). Hold times were introduced in tension up to a maximum period of 90 minutes. Cyclic stress response and fatigue lives of base metal, weld metals and weld joints were compared under different testing conditions.