IASCC crack initiation testing of thimble tube material under PWR conditions: effect of oxide layer, stress and load form

Research outputpeer-review

Abstract

IASCC (Irradiation Assisted Stress Corrosion Cracking) crack initiation tests were carried out on thimble tube material (≤ 80 dpa) retrieved from a Belgian PWR. In this work the effect of the oxide layer on the IASCC susceptibility was investigated with O-ring specimens from which the original 25-years old oxide layer was removed by soft grinding. Fifteen of these O-ring specimens with fresh surfaces were sub-jected to constant load tests at different stress levels in PWR environment with a total test time of about 4350 hours (≈ six months). The experimental results showed that the time-to failure was significantly larger than those for the O-ring with original oxide layer. This effect was more pronounced at higher stress levels.
Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationInternational Symposium Contribution of Materials Investigations and Operating Experience to LWRs’ Safety, Performance and Reliability
PublisherSfen - Société française d’énergie nucléaire
Pages1-10
Number of pages10
StatePublished - 22 Sep 2022
Event2022 - FONTEVRAUD 10: Contribution of Materials Investigations and Operating Experience to LWRs’ Safety, Performance and Reliability - Palais des Papes, Avignon
Duration: 19 Sep 202222 Sep 2022
https://www.sfen.org/evenement/fontevraud-10/

Conference

Conference2022 - FONTEVRAUD 10
Abbreviated titleFontevraud 10
Country/TerritoryFrance
CityAvignon
Period2022-09-192022-09-22
Internet address

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