Stress corrosion failure of stainless steel components in a BWR and the effect of cyclic loading on the crack propagation

Two types of problems originated from the stress corrosion cracking (SCC) of the stainless steel components are described. In both cases quantitative estimation of crack growth as functions of either time or number of operation cycles became of significant concern for the rest of life. The cracks in the weld overlay of the RPV liner were suspected to work as the stress raisers, when fatigue of the vessel in the corrosive aqueous environment was considered. More typical stress corrosion cracks around the weld joints became an alternative subject of study. A series of laboratory experiments on the effect of simulated reactor environment on the rate of crack growth under alternated stresses were conducted. 15 references