Characterization of a metallic mechanical standard junction for a specific nuclear application

A testing procedure, targeted to promote that an industrial standard component can be used in a nuclear particular application, is designed and applied. Namely, a mechanical standard junction component, that is widely recognized for its industrial reliability, is commonly used to fit two stainless steel tubes, is intended to be used in a particular nuclear application fitting a stainless steel tube to a Zircaloy-4 tube counterpart. The junction will be subjected to pressure and temperature typical of primary circuit coolant in a nuclear power plant. The results found once the test was applied (catastrophic fault and significant water leakage absence) allow to advice using this mechanical junction device as a valid nuclear design option fitting the proposed tubes. (author)