Deep Learning-Based Surrogate Creep Modelling in Inconel 625: A High-Temperature Alloy Study

TL;DR

This paper introduces deep learning surrogate models for fast, accurate creep simulation of Inconel 625, significantly reducing computational time from minutes to seconds, aiding in design and monitoring of high-temperature components.

Contribution

The study develops and compares two novel deep learning architectures as surrogate models for creep prediction in Inconel 625, enhancing speed and accuracy over traditional finite-element simulations.

Findings

BiLSTM-VAE offers probabilistic, uncertainty-aware predictions.

BiLSTM-Transformer achieves high deterministic accuracy.

Surrogate models reduce prediction time from minutes to seconds.

Abstract

Time-dependent deformation, particularly creep, in high-temperature alloys such as Inconel 625 is a key factor in the long-term reliability of components used in aerospace and energy systems. Although Inconel 625 shows excellent creep resistance, finite-element creep simulations in tools such as ANSYS remain computationally expensive, often requiring tens of minutes for a single 10,000-hour run. This work proposes deep learning based surrogate models to provide fast and accurate replacements for such simulations. Creep strain data was generated in ANSYS using the Norton law under uniaxial stresses of 50 to 150 MPa and temperatures of 700 to 1000 $^\circ$C, and this temporal dataset was used to train two architectures: a BiLSTM Variational Autoencoder for uncertainty-aware and generative predictions, and a BiLSTM Transformer hybrid that employs self-attention to capture long-range temporal behavior. Both models act as surrogate predictors, with the BiLSTM-VAE offering probabilistic output and the BiLSTM-Transformer delivering high deterministic accuracy. Performance is evaluated using RMSE, MAE, and $R^2$. Results show that the BiLSTM-VAE provides stable and reliable creep strain forecasts, while the BiLSTM-Transformer achieves strong accuracy across the full time range. Latency tests indicate substantial speedup: while each ANSYS simulation requires 30 to 40 minutes for a given stress-temperature condition, the surrogate models produce predictions within seconds. The proposed framework enables rapid creep assessment for design optimization and structural health monitoring, and provides a scalable solution for high-temperature alloy applications.