Long-term creep assessment of a thin-walled inconel 718 stirling power-convertor heater head

摘要

Stirling power convertors are candidate power systems for long duration, deep space exploratory missions. Projected design life requirements for these missions are in excess of 100,000 hours. Design reviews have identified the heater head of the Stirling power convertor as a critical component for long-term durability. This paper will discuss long-term creep assessment of the thin-walled, Inconel 718 (IN-718) nickel base superalloy heater head as one part of an overall life prediction methodology.