Prevention of stress corrosion cracking in piping welds

Erkki Muttilainen, Ossi Hietanen, Pertti Aaltonen, Ulla Ehrnsten

    Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference article in proceedingsScientificpeer-review

    Abstract

    Stress corrosion cracking in piping welds in boiling water reactors (BWR's) has been observed in stainless steels as well as in low alloyed ferritic steels. Cracks in welded austenitic stainless steel piping in BWR's have been a serious problem in early operational years of nuclear power plants. Intergranular stress corrosion cracking (IGSCC) incidents of large diameter pipes have had an impact on plant availability and economics and defects are considered also as a safety hazard. The number of welds in connection to large diameter pipes is about 250 per unit, with a large wall thickness, about 30 mm in average, making inspection requirements stringent. SCC has been concentrated in the same systems in the power plants all over the world, namely reactor water cleanup systems, core spray and all lines of main re-circulation lines operating at high temperatures. In order to evaluate the rate of failures and the related safety risk, cracking mechanisms effective in different materials have been analysed and remedial actions have been evaluated.
    Original languageEnglish
    Title of host publicationBALTICA V
    Subtitle of host publicationCondition and Life Management for Power Plants
    Place of PublicationEspoo
    PublisherVTT Technical Research Centre of Finland
    Pages681-688
    ISBN (Electronic)951-38-5717-4
    ISBN (Print)951-38-5716-6
    Publication statusPublished - 2001
    MoE publication typeA4 Article in a conference publication
    EventBALTICA V - Condition and Life Management for Power Plants - Porvoo, Finland
    Duration: 6 Jun 20018 Jun 2001

    Publication series

    SeriesVTT Symposium
    Number212
    ISSN0357-9387

    Conference

    ConferenceBALTICA V - Condition and Life Management for Power Plants
    Abbreviated titleBaltica V
    Country/TerritoryFinland
    CityPorvoo
    Period6/06/018/06/01

    Keywords

    • welding

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