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What is Creep?
• API 571 – time-dependent deformation of stressed components at
high temperatures.
• API 579 - special case of inelasticity that characterizes the stress
induced time-dependent deformation under load, usually occurring at
elevated temperatures
• NACE – a high-temperature mechanism in which continuous plastic
deformation of a metal takes place while under applied stresses
below the normal yield strength

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 Susceptibility

• API 571 - All metals and alloys

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Causes
• A function of material, applied stress and temperature
• Small changes in temperature or stress
• ie. API 571 indicates that a 25°F or 15% increase in stress can cut the remaining life in
half or worse depending on alloy.
• Increased stress due to loss of thickness from corrosion

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Affected Units and Equipment
Equipment
• High temp equipment
• Heater tubes, tube
supports, hangers and
other furnace internals
in fired heaters
• High pressure steam
tubes in boilers

Unit
• Catalytic Reforming units
• Fluid Catalytic Cracking
Units

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Appearance
• Creep voids typically
show up at grain
boundaries.
• At later stages, they
grow into microfissures
and then cracks
• At temperatures well
above the threshold
limit, noticeable
deformation may be
observed.
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Prevention
• There is little that can be done once a susceptible material is placed
into creep service.
• Creep damage is not reversible. Once damage is detected much of the
life of that component has been used up.

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Inspection
• Creep deformation and the associated microvoid formation, fissuring
and dimensional change are not effectively found by any one
inspection technique.
• Dimensional measurements & field
metallographical replications are
often needed.

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Fitness for Service
• API 579 can be used to
qualify a component for
continued operation or for
re-rating
• Certain conditions that may
warrant a FFS evaluation for
components operating in the
creep range
• Assessment – Level 1
Level 2
Level 3
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Creep Assessment
• Creep requires equipment-specific, independent analysis to assess
susceptibility

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