This book is addressed to professionals active in the design and operation of power plants and those involved in supporting research and development activities in high temperature materials. Following an introduction, typical operating conditions of pressure vessels, pipe-line elements and turbine blades and vanes are described. This includes both steadystate and transient loading. Advanced problems are also covered, such as structural problems, associated with power plant materials, deformation and fracture at high temperatures. Distinctions are made between the processes of crack initiation and crack growth in conducting lifetime assessments. Failure prevention methods, thermal shock problems, details of damage analysis and the possibilities of life extension are also covered.weiterlesen