Testing of cobalt-free alloys for valve applications using a special test loop

Considering that use of cobalt alloys should be avoided as far as possible in PWR components, a programme aimed at establishing the performance of cobalt-free alloys has been performed for valve applications, where cobalt alloys are mainly used. Referring to past work, two types of cobalt-free alloys were selected: Ni-Cr-B-Si and Ni-Cr-Fe alloys. Cobalt-free valves' behaviour has been evaluated comparatively with cobalt valves by implementation of a programme in a special PWR test loop. At the issue of the loop test programme, which included endurance, thermal shock and erosion tests, cobalt-free alloys candidate to replace cobalt alloys are proposed in relation with valve type (globe valve and swing check valve). The following was established: (i) Colmonoy 4-26 (Ni-Cr-B-Si alloy) and Cenium Z20 (Ni-Cr-Fe alloy) deposited by plasma arc process were found suitable for use in 3inch swing check valves; (ii) for integral parts acting as guide rings, Nitronic 60 and Cesium Z20/698 were tested successfully; (iii) for small-bore components such as 2inch globe valves, no solution can yet be proposed; introduction of cobalt-free alloys is dependent on the development of automatic advanced arc surfacing techniques applied to small-bore components