Effect of Electrode Coatings on Diffusible Hydrogen Content, Hardness and Microstructures of the Ferritic Heat Affected Zones in Bimetallic Welds

2011 ◽  
Vol 383-390 ◽  
pp. 4697-4701 ◽  
Author(s):  
Deepak Bhandari ◽  
Rahul Chhibber ◽  
Navneet Arora
Keyword(s):  
Weld Metal ◽  
Nuclear Power ◽  
Power Plants ◽  
Welding Process ◽  
The Other ◽  
Scientific Development ◽  
Shielded Metal Arc Welding ◽  
Diffusible Hydrogen ◽  
Metal Quality ◽  
Welding Electrode

Bimetallic welds (BMWs) have been a necessity within the steam generators of nuclear power plants, where the heavy section low alloy steel components are usually connected to stainless steel primary piping systems. These welds represent zones with metallurgical discontinuities, which tend to localize the strains and cause failures. The other critical issues which must be taken care of while welding of bimetallic joints include solidification cracking, thermal fatigue and residual stresses in welds. The occurrence and severity of all these problems associated with bimetallic welds depend upon the type of welding process used along with the other variables like welding consumables, heat input etc. In shielded metal arc welding (SMAW), welding electrode consumables/coatings play an important role in deciding the weld metal quality. The development of welding electrode coatings is quite difficult due to very rapid complex reactions taking place during welding and the involvement of many controlled process variables. The present paper is an effort to highlight the general issues and challenges for the systematic and scientific development of welding electrode coatings for bimetallic welds. The experimental procedure contains three sets of coated electrodes having varying ferro-alloys, silica and carbon content. In the first set of electrodes, non-ferrous elements are also introduced into the weld metal through flux addition. Further, the welded joints are subjected to various tests and then evaluated to ascertain their mechanical as well as metallurgical behaviour.

Computation of the Welding Process: The Engineering Practice Consolidated Thanks to R&D Tools

2016 ◽  
Author(s):  
Frédérique Rossillon ◽  
David Albrecht
Keyword(s):  
Nuclear Power ◽  
Power Plants ◽  
Welding Process ◽  
The Other ◽  
Engineering Practice ◽  
Know How ◽  
Simplified Method ◽  
The Difference ◽  
Complex Phenomena ◽  
Industrial Context

The integrity of structures in nuclear power plants has to be assessed to meet given safety criteria. For a better understanding of the in-service loads in welded areas of PWRs components, the residual stresses resulting from the welding process have to be evaluated. For that purpose, numerical simulation of welding has proved efficient. However, in an industrial context, simple models have to be used to stay reliable, brief and easy to use. Among all the steps required to run a suitable computation of the welding, this paper focuses on the calibration of the heat source. Two complementary approaches are applied to define an equivalent heat input, which coarsely include complex phenomena in the weld pool. The engineering practice is driven by a know-how: simplified method are used to get an efficient result in short modelling time. On the other hand, EDF R&D develops tools which quantify the difference between models and lead to an objective choice. The mix of both approaches enables to consolidate the engineering practice.

Combining CaO–SiO2–TiO2 and CaO–SiO2–Al2O3 ternary phase systems for design of bimetallic welds

2021 ◽  
Vol 235 (8) ◽  
pp. 1271-1283
Author(s):  
Deepak Bhandari ◽  
Rahul Chhibber ◽  
Lochan Sharma ◽  
Navneet Arora ◽  
Rajeev Mehta
Keyword(s):  
Weld Metal ◽  
Power Plants ◽  
Ternary Phase ◽  
Desirability Function ◽  
Manganese Content ◽  
Research Work ◽  
Welding Process ◽  
Delta Ferrite ◽  
Electrode Coating ◽  
Phase Systems

The bimetallic welds are frequently utilized for pipeline transport system of the nuclear power plants. The occurrences of welding defects generally depend on the filler electrode as well as the electrode coatings during shielded metal arc welding process. This study involves the design of austenitic stainless steel welding electrodes for SS304L–SA516 bimetallic welds. The objective of research work includes the novel design of Al2O3–TiO2–CaO–SiO2 coatings by combining two ternary phase systems using extreme vertices mixture design methodology to analyze the effect of key coating constituents on the weld metal chemistry and mechanical properties of the welds. The significant effect of electrode coating constituent CaO on weld metal manganese content is observed which further improves the toughness of bimetallic weld joints. Various regression models have been developed for the weld responses and multi objective optimisation approach using composite desirability function has been adopted for identifying the optimized set of electrode coating compositions. The role of delta ferrite content in promoting the favourable solidification mode has been studied through microstructural examination.

Strategies for Treating Weld Residual Stresses in Probabilistic Fracture Mechanics Codes

2011 ◽  
Author(s):  
Frederick W. Brust ◽  
R. E. Kurth ◽  
D. J. Shim ◽  
David Rudland
Keyword(s):  
Fracture Mechanics ◽  
Residual Stresses ◽  
Stress Corrosion ◽  
Stress Corrosion Cracking ◽  
Nuclear Power ◽  
Power Plants ◽  
Degradation Mechanism ◽  
Welding Process ◽  
Corrosion Cracking ◽  
Uncertainty Sources

Risk based treatment of degradation and fracture in nuclear power plants has emerged as an important topic in recent years. One degradation mechanism of concern is stress corrosion cracking. Stress corrosion cracking is strongly driven by the weld residual stresses (WRS) which develop in nozzles and piping from the welding process. The weld residual stresses can have a large uncertainty associated with them. This uncertainty is caused by many sources including material property variations of base and welds metal, weld sequencing, weld repairs, weld process method, and heat inputs. Moreover, often mitigation procedures are used to correct a problem in an existing plant, which also leads to uncertainty in the WRS fields. The WRS fields are often input to probabilistic codes from weld modeling analyses. Thus another source of uncertainty is represented by the accuracy of the predictions compared with a limited set of measurements. Within the framework of a probabilistic degradation and fracture mechanics code these uncertainties must all be accounted for properly. Here we summarize several possibilities for properly accounting for the uncertainty inherent in the WRS fields. Several examples are shown which illustrate ranges where these treatments work well and ranges where improvement is needed. In addition, we propose a new method for consideration. This method consists of including the uncertainty sources within the WRS fields and tabulating them within tables which are then sampled during the probabilistic realization. Several variations of this process are also discussed. Several examples illustrating the procedures are presented.

PWSCC Crack Growth Mitigation With Inlay

2011 ◽  
Author(s):  
David Rudland ◽  
Frederick W. Brust ◽  
D. J. Shim ◽  
G. Wilkowski
Keyword(s):  
Residual Stresses ◽  
Weld Metal ◽  
Crack Growth ◽  
Nuclear Power ◽  
Power Plants ◽  
Resistant Material ◽  
Residual Stress State ◽  
Weld Material ◽  
Primary Water ◽  
Mitigation Methods

Primary water stress corrosion cracking (PWSCC) is an issue of concern in the dissimilar metal welds (DMW) connecting vessel nozzles and stainless steel piping in PWR nuclear power plants. PWSCC occurs due to the synergistic interaction of several factors including tensile weld residual stresses, a corrosion sensitive weld metal (usually Alloy 82/182 weld metal) and a corrosive environment. Several mechanical mitigation methods to control PWSCC have been developed in order to alter the weld residual stresses on the nozzle. These methods consist of applying a weld overlay repair (WOR), using a method called mechanical stress improvement process (MSIP), and applying an inlay to the nozzle ID, the latter of which is the subject of this paper. An inlay consists of machining the pipe ID at the region of the DMW and applying a PWSCC resistant weld material at the machined region. The PWSCC resistant material is mainly Alloy 52/152, which has a higher chromium content compared with Alloy 82/182. The inlay is a corrosion resistant material, and the proposed application thickness (after final machining) is 3 mm. Therefore, once the crack grows through the inlay, the growth in the underlying A82/182 material is much faster. This leads to a complicated crack shape which is small at the nozzle ID and becomes larger in the original weld material and approaches a balloon shape. Here the weld residual stress state caused by the inlay is first discussed. Next, the effect of crack growth through the inlay and into the underlying Alloy 82/182 material is discussed. Finally, implications of inlay for mitigation and consideration of alternatives is discussed.

Structural Integrity for the RPV of French NPP during the LRA

2016 ◽  
Vol 853 ◽  
pp. 453-457
Author(s):  
Ming Ya Chen ◽  
Wei Wei Yu ◽  
Jin Hua Shi ◽  
Rong Shan Wang ◽  
Lv Feng ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Nuclear Power ◽  
Power Plants ◽  
Structural Integrity ◽  
The Other ◽  
Light Water Reactor ◽  
Original Design ◽  
Light Water ◽  
Pressurized Thermal Shock ◽  
The Usa ◽  
Reactor Pressure

Most of the French Nuclear Power Plants (NPPs) are currently embarking upon efforts to renew their operating license, while the pressurized thermal shock (PTS) events and environmentally assisted fatigue (EAF) pose potentially significant challenges to the structural integrity of the reactor pressure vessel (RPV) which has the potential to be NPP life-limiting conditions. In the assessment of the PTS events, the deterministic fracture mechanics (DFM) is still used as the basic mechanics in most countries except for the USA. While the maximum nil-ductility-transition temperature (RTNDT) is about 80°C for 54 French RPVs after 40 years operation, the maximum allowable RTNDT is only about 70 oC and 80 oC for the typical PTS events in the IAEA and NEA reports, respectively. On the other hand, the effects of light water reactor (LWR) environmental (other than moderate environment in the code) were not considered in the original design, while the effects of LWR environmental are needed to be considered in the LRA according to the USA regulations. In this paper, the challenges of the PTS and EAF are discussed, and some suggestions are also given for the LRA

Apply the Acoustoelastic Method to Determine Residual Stresses in Welded Joints

NDT World ◽  
2020 ◽  
pp. 10-17
Author(s):  
Arkady Kamyshev ◽  
Aleksandr Danilov ◽  
Lev Pasmanik ◽  
Aleksandr Getman ◽  
Dmitry Kuzmin ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Residual Stresses ◽  
Weld Metal ◽  
Base Metal ◽  
Welded Joints ◽  
Nuclear Power ◽  
Power Plants ◽  
Stress Measurement ◽  
Metal Structure ◽  
Mechanical Tests ◽  
Residual Welding

The problem of maximum stresses estimation in the weld metal, where the direct measurements are not possible due to the influence of the metal structure on the measurement error, was solved. The influence of features of welding joints manufacturing technology on the structure of the weld metal was also determined. We use several reference welded joints of pipelines at nuclear power plants in our studies. Instrumental estimation of acoustoelasticity parameters in the weld metal in welded joints and in adjacent areas of the base metal was used together with computational modeling of the residual welding stresses distributions. Results obtained demonstrate that the error of stress measurement in the metal in the joint, which is related to the structure of the weld metal, is comparable to the material yield strength. Due to that a direct measurement of the maximum values of welding stresses is not possible. Comparison of results of acoustoelasticity parameters measurements with results of the metal macrostructure studies and mechanical tests allowed us to determine the relationship between peculiarities of structure of the weld metal sections at vertical joints with their tendency to brittle destruction. We propose and justify the NDT method of residual welding stresses in the weld metal. It is based on the principle of residual stresses balancing and employs the results of stress measurements in the base metal by acoustoelasticity. Applicability of non-destructive testing of acoustoelasticity parameters to identify the areas of welded joints with a higher tendency to brittle fracture is also justified.

Natural Radioactivity in the Principal Constituents of French River Ecosystems

1988 ◽  
Vol 24 (1-4) ◽  
pp. 143-147 ◽  
Author(s):  
B. Descamps ◽  
L. Foulquier
Keyword(s):  
Natural Radioactivity ◽  
Nuclear Power ◽  
Power Plants ◽  
Nuclear Power Plants ◽  
The Other ◽  
Whole Body ◽  
Counting Period ◽  
Small Stream ◽  
Zone Ii ◽  
Mining Complex

Abstract The study is based on data covering the water, sediments, plants and fish sampled over a 20-year period at 15 stations along French rivers. Three geographic zones were investigated: one containing a uranium mining complex (Zone 1), another including five major rivers along which nuclear power plants are sited (Zone II) and a third unaffected by nuclear activities (Zone III). Natural radioactivity basically involves 238U, 226Ra and 210Pb in the uranium series, 232Th from the thorium series, 40K and 7Be. The natural radioactivity in Zone II is not different from Zone III, and is thus unaffected by waste discharges from nuclear power plants. The most abundant radionuclide is 40K, while the other nuclides are often found in trace amounts near the detection threshold of the analysis method used (Ge gamma spectrometry with a 15-hour counting period). The 226Ra and 238U concentrations observed in Zone I are at least an order of magnitude higher than in the other two zones due to authorised waste discharges from the Lodève mining complex, but only a small stream is affected. The measured 226Ra concentrations would result in an annual whole body committed dose equivalent attributable to a 200 g weekly fish consumption from this stream of 4.4 x 10-5 Sv.y-1, or 0.86% of the maximum permissible dose (5 mSv).

Weld Hardness Study of P91 Welded Pipes with Post Weld Heat Treatment for Elevated Temperature Application in Power Plants

2015 ◽  
Vol 1115 ◽  
pp. 503-508 ◽  
Author(s):  
Muhammad Sarwar ◽  
Mohd Amin bin Abd Majid
Keyword(s):  
Heat Treatment ◽  
Power Plant ◽  
Weld Metal ◽  
Creep Strength ◽  
Power Plants ◽  
Thermal Power ◽  
Base Material ◽  
Welding Process ◽  
Post Weld Heat Treatment ◽  
Weld Heat

The creep strength-enhanced ferritic (CSEF) steels are undergoing an encouraged use around the world especially in power plant construction. On construction sites, it has always been the target to have no problems in welded joints but premature failures are being encountered. The primary reason of these premature failures is found to be the improper heat treatment that is mandatorily carried out to achieve the required weld hardness. Weld hardness has close relationship with creep strength and ductility of the welded structures. Hence it is important for any weld to achieve certain level of weld hardness. This study aims at ascertaining the importance of Post Welding Heat Treatment (PWHT) in achieving the required hardness in creep-strength enhanced ferritic (CSEF) materials.The study was carried out on the welding of alloy steel ASTM A335 Gr. P-91 with the same base material (ASTM A335 Gr. P-91) by Gas Tungsten Arc Welding (GTAW) process using ER90S-B9 filler wire with pre-heat of 200oC (min) and inter-pass temperature of 300oC (max). After welding, the joints were tested for soundness with Radiography testing. Induction heating was used for heat treatment of P91 pipes during welding and post weld heat treatment. The effect of Post Weld Heat Treatment (PWHT) was investigated on the Weld metal and the Heat Affected Zones (HAZ) by hardness testing. It is perceived that the scattered and higher hardness values, more than 250HB in 2” P91 pipes in the weld metal and in the heat affected zones, can be brought into the lower required level, less than 250HB, with an effective post weld heat treatment at 760°C for 2hrs.It is concluded that PWHT is the most effective way of relieving the welding stresses that are produced due to high heat input in the welding process and to achieve the required level of hardness in the weld as well as in the heat affected zones (HAZ) in thermal power plant main steam piping.

Study of arc stability in underwater shielded metal arc welding at shallow depths

2008 ◽  
Vol 223 (3) ◽  
pp. 699-709 ◽  
Author(s):  
J A E Mazzaferro ◽  
I G Machado
Keyword(s):  
Weld Metal ◽  
Fourier Transforms ◽  
Short Circuit ◽  
Welding Current ◽  
Shielded Metal Arc Welding ◽  
Metal Quality ◽  
Electrode Coating ◽  
Welding Condition ◽  
Porosity Level ◽  
Arc Stability

The main objective of this work was to study the effects of changes in hydrostatic pressure and electrode coating composition on the shielding metal arc behaviour during underwater wet welding. Thus, wet welding operations were performed by an automatic device using a hyperbaric chamber to simulate depths of 5.0, 12.5, and 20.0 m. A covered electrode already developed in W & RTL was used as reference and compared with others with different amounts of CaCO3, TiO2, and aluminium added to their coatings. Hence, effects of welding condition and electrode coating on weld metal were evaluated through visual inspection of the weld beads, measurement of porosity level, and the results related to welding current and voltage signals. The welding arc signals were analysed through indexes calculated from instantaneous values of current and voltage, and fast Fourier transforms frequency spectrum. The mixtures containing CaCO3 additions exhibit fewer defects, while those containing aluminium additions have presented a great amount of pores and other discontinuities in the weld metal. As expected, all consumables showed a higher deposition rate, as welds were performed at greater depths (pressures), confirming the effect of arc constriction and the consequent increase in current density. Moreover, a region of transition in the metal transfer mode was identified around a depth of 12.5 m, probably from short-circuit to globular. Also, a clear tendency of increase in arc stability for those welds performed at greater depths could be noticed, as well as better weld metal quality. On the other hand, those consumables with CaCO3 added to the coating exhibited the best arc stability for welds performed at shallow depths.

The Influence of Diffusible Hydrogen in Weld Metal and Moisture Content Levels in Flux Related With Weld Metal Mechanical Properties in Submerged Arc Welding Process for Line Pipe Manufacturing

2015 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gautam Chauhan ◽  
Piyush Thakor ◽  
Satyanarayana Samavedam ◽  
Ramakrishnan Mannarsamy ◽  
Ashif Sheikh ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mechanical Properties ◽  
Moisture Content ◽  
Weld Metal ◽  
Hydrogen Content ◽  
Welding Process ◽  
Diffusible Hydrogen ◽  
Line Pipe ◽  
Arc Welding Process ◽  
Submerged Arc ◽  
Pipe Manufacturing

The mechanical properties of welding material is correlative with the diffusible hydrogen content in weld metal and level of moisture content in flux. Minitab16program to predict mechanical properties correlated to diffusible hydrogen content in weld metal and level of moisture content in flux, such as yield strength, tensile strength, elongation and average Charpy impact toughness of welding material is established by using submerged arc welding process in line pipe manufacturing. The present paper aims to experiment and investigate the line pipe SAW Flux used for offshore/onshore applications. Flux moisture content has been studied under Karl Fischer Coulometer method. Subsequently, flux was then used to make weld to analysis for ‘diffusible hydrogen content in weld metal’ through mercury displacement method. This detailed study envisages and explains the correlations between the mechanical properties and micro structures of weldments. Evaluating the variance of moisture level in flux and diffusible hydrogen content in weld metal proves the advantage of restricting the moisture content along with good practices to accomplish better weld quality.

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