New technologies for Management of PWSCC in Dissimilar Metal Weld in NPPs

One of big issues to increase structural integrity and operating efficiency of nuclear power plants(NPPs) is now primary water stress corrosion cracking(PWSCC) occurring in dissimilar metal weld(DMW) regions, such as, inlet and outlet nozzles, and J-welds of control rod drive mechanism (CRDM) penetration and bottom-mounted instrumentation(BMI) nozzles in a reactor pressure vessel, and other nozzles in a primary system. In order to manage the PWSCC occurring in DMW, many technologies, for example, an induction heating stress improvement(IHSI) process, a mechanical stress improvement process(MSIP), overlay and inlay welding processes using conventional welding methods, water jet or laser peening processes, etc., have been developed in nuclear-advanced counties. Many of them have been being applied to some operating NPPs in the world. The most reliable, relatively new, and effective technologies are, however, thought to be a laser peening and an inlay welding process using a under-water laser welding(UWLW) method. In this talk, the laser peening process and inlay welding process using UWLW method will be introduced and their advantages will be discussed