Estimation of uniaxial and creep properties by small punch testing in support of ECCC test programmes

The small punch test techniques, SP for tensile properties and SPC for creep properties, will in the near future become a more frequently used tool for material property determination as the new standard EN-10371 is published in June 2021. The testing techniques are especially useful for applications where only a small amount of material is available, e.g., for in service materials or for nuclear (irradiated) materials. In the ECCC Work Groups 1, 3A and 3B, the technique has been studied and used for estimating the creep and tensile strength of a range of materials relevant to the corresponding working groups. In this paper tests conducted on ferritic/martensitic steels P91 (virgin, aged and creep damaged), P92 (virgin and weld), F92 (two different heat treatments) for the Work group; WG3A (ferritic / martensitic steels) and 316L, 316L(N), 316L(N) weld metal and a range of SLM (3D printed) 316L steels for the Work Group 38 (austenitic steels), are analysed according to the new standard. The applicability of the SP/SPC for the case studies and some methodology development needs are addressed. The excellent results of these test programs are expected to promote the acceptance of SP/SPC assessments in industry and for research.