Laser de-sensitization treatment for inside surface of SUS304 stainless steel pipe welds in nuclear power plants

Author(s):  
Itaru Chida ◽  
Wataru Kono ◽  
Seiichiro Kimura ◽  
Shohei Kawano ◽  
Rie Sumiya ◽  
...  
Author(s):  
Shotaro Hayashi ◽  
Mayumi Ochi ◽  
Kiminobu Hojo ◽  
Takahisa Yamane ◽  
Wataru Nishi

The cast austenitic stainless steel (CASS) that is used for the primary loop pipes of nuclear power plants is susceptible to thermal ageing during plant operation. The Japanese JSME rules on fitness-for-service (JSME rules on FFS)[1] for nuclear power plants specify the allowable flaw depths. However, some of these allowable flaw sizes are small compared with the smallest flaw sizes, which can be detected by nondestructive testing. ASME Section XI Code Case N-838[2] recently specified the maximum tolerable flaw depths for CASS pipes determined by probabilistic fracture mechanics (PFM). In a similar way, the allowable flaw depths of CASS pipes were calculated by PFM analysis code “PREFACE”[3] which considers uncertainty of the mechanical properties of Japanese PWR CASS materials. In order to confirm the validity of PREFACE, the allowable flaw depths calculated by PREFACE were compared with the maximum tolerable flaw depths in the technical basis of Code Case N-838. As a result, although the J calculation method and the embrittlement prediction model of CASS are different, these were qualitatively consistent. In addition, the sensitivity of ferrite content to the allowable flaw depths was investigated.


2014 ◽  
Vol 487 ◽  
pp. 54-57 ◽  
Author(s):  
Meng Yu Chai ◽  
Li Chan Li ◽  
Wen Jie Bai ◽  
Quan Duan

304 stainless steel and 316L stainless steel are conventional materials of primary pipeline in nuclear power plants. The present work is to summarize the acoustic emission (AE) characteristics in the process of pitting corrosion of 304 stainless steel, intergranular corrosion of 316L stainless steel and weldments of 316L stainless steel. The work also discussed the current shortcomings and problems of research. At last we proposed the coming possible research topics and directions.


1994 ◽  
Vol 151 (2-3) ◽  
pp. 539-550 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ludwig von Bernus ◽  
Werner Rathgeb ◽  
Rudi Schmid ◽  
Friedrich Mohr ◽  
Michael Kröning

Author(s):  
Wei Tang ◽  
Maxim Gussev ◽  
Zhili Feng ◽  
Brian Gibson ◽  
Roger Miller ◽  
...  

Abstract The mitigation of helium induced cracking in the heat affected zone (HAZ), a transition metallurgical zone between the weld zone and base metal, during repair welding is a great challenge in nuclear industry. Successful traditional fusion welding repairs are limited to metals with a maximum of a couple of atomic parts per million (appm) helium, and structural materials helium levels in operating nuclear power plants are generally exceed a couple of appm after years of operations. Therefore, fusion welding is very limited in nuclear power plants structural materials repairing. Friction stir welding (FSW) is a solid-state joining technology that reduces the drivers (temperature and tensile residual stress) for helium-induced cracking. This paper will detail initial procedural development of FSW weld trials on irradiated 304L stainless steel (304L SS) coupons utilizing a unique welding facility located at one of Oak Ridge National Laboratory’s hot cell facilities. The successful early results of FSW of an irradiated 304L SS coupon containing high helium are discussed. Helium induced cracking was not observed by scanning electron microscopy in the friction stir weld zone and the metallurgical zones between the weld zone and base metal, i.e. thermal mechanical affected zone (TMAZ) and HAZ. Characterization of the weld, TMAZ and HAZ regions are detailed in this paper.


2015 ◽  
Vol 59 (3) ◽  
pp. 91-98
Author(s):  
V. Šefl

Abstract In this literature review we identify and quantify the parameters influencing the low-cycle fatigue life of materials commonly used in nuclear power plants. The parameters are divided into several groups and individually described. The main groups are material properties, mode of cycling and environment parameters. The groups are further divided by the material type - some parameters influence only certain kind of material, e.g. sulfur content may decreases fatigue life of carbon steel, but is not relevant for austenitic stainless steel; austenitic stainless steel is more sensitive to concentration of dissolved oxygen in the environment compared to the carbon steel. The combination of parameters i.e. conjoint action of several detrimental parameters is discussed. It is also noted that for certain parameters to decrease fatigue life, it is necessary for other parameter to reach certain threshold value. Two different approaches have been suggested in literature to describe this complex problem - the Fen factor and development of new design fatigue curves. The threshold values and examples of commonly used relationships for calculation of fatigue lives are included. This work is valuable because it provides the reader with long-term literature review with focus on real effect of environmental parameters on fatigue life of nuclear power plant materials.


Author(s):  
Harvey Svetlik

30 years ago, steel pipe was the standard in the ASME code for raw water supply and raw water handling at Nuclear Power Plants. At some power plants, despite best efforts, that steel pipe has suffered intermittent leakage from external and severe MIC internal corrosion. Additionally, internal tuberculation and mineral build-up has severely constricted flow in other pipelines. Advanced, engineering pipe-grade polyethylene pipe has been extruded and used in some nuclear power plants as the effective method to eliminate corrosion and tuberculation of raw water system pipelines. Implementing the change to earth-quake tolerant polyethylene pipelines has resulted in decreased maintenance, increased system reliability, and improved plant longevity. The expectation is that the advanced polyethylene will provide continuous service up to 100 years from initial installation, with a very low statistical probability of any pressure rupture during its service life. Herein discussed is the engineering grade of polyethylene material, its design basis, the conversion of extruded heavy-wall pipe (Picture 1) into fabricated components, and the final production of fully pressure-rated, fabricated pipe fittings with wall thickness of up to 5-inches. Fabrication pictures 1 to 12 are included.


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