Science-Based Approaches to Solving Materials Challenges Associated with Long-Term Nuclear Power Plant Operations

Commercial nuclear reactors present a very challenging environment for materials, with combinations of environmental stressors that include high temperatures, corrosive environments, high stress loading, fatigue, and radiation fields. Numerous alloy types are used in primary and secondary systems, the reactor pressure vessel (RPV), as well as concrete structures and cabling. Therefore, dominant forms of degradation may vary greatly between the different systems, structures and components. Understanding materials degradation is necessary for informed long-term operation decisions that establish materials limits, support focused planning of materials inspections, provide economic and safety based decisions on component replacement, and allow for more appropriate regulatory guidelines.