Toggle Main Menu Toggle Search

Open Access padlockePrints

Some uses of slow strain rate testing under applied potential control in studying SCC of materials used in nuclear power plants

Lookup NU author(s): Lisa Coneyworth, Dr Alasdair Charles

Downloads

Full text for this publication is not currently held within this repository. Alternative links are provided below where available.


Abstract

The stress corrosion cracking (SCC) of iron base alloys, stainless steels and nickel based alloys exposed to high temperature water environments is influenced by the electrode potential at the specimen surface. In nuclear coolant environments, under free corrosion conditions, this is strongly influenced by the dissolved oxygen content of the water. However, a range of water chemistry conditions can be modelled in the laboratory by utilising small static or refreshed autoclave systems and potentiostatic control of the specimens. Rector pressure vessel steels, pure iron and a wide range of iron base alloys crack during slow strain rate tests in simulated light water reactor environments if the conditions generate high (anodic) potentials or if such potentials are applied by some external means. Susceptibility to cracking is influenced by water temperature, the inclusion content of the steel, the electrode potential, the applied strain and the crack-tip strain rate. Cracks often initiate at sulphide inclusions but can also be initiated at slip-steps and/or corrosion pits. Sulphate contamination of the water enhances cracking for low sulphur content alloys but has little effect if the alloy already contains many sulphide inclusions. The SCC of various stainless steels, alloy 600 and alloy 690 is also influenced by the electrode potential of the samples. The usefulness of slow strain rate testing for providing a semi-quantitative measure of safety and for studying the mechanism of cracking will be discussed.


Publication metadata

Author(s): Congleton J, Charles EA

Editor(s): Moody, N., Thompson, A.

Publication type: Conference Proceedings (inc. Abstract)

Publication status: Published

Conference Name: Hydrogen Effects on Material Behaviour and Corrosion Deformation Interactions - Proc. of the International Conference on Hydrogen Effects on Material Behaviour and Corrosion Deformation Interactions

Year of Conference: 2003

Pages: 823-836

Publisher: The Minerals, Metals & Materials Society

Library holdings: Search Newcastle University Library for this item

ISBN: 9780873395014


Share