Influence of δ phase precipitation on the stress corrosion cracking resistance of alloy 718 in PWR primary water

The negative influence of δ phase on the intergranular stress corrosion cracking (IGSCC) resistance of alloy 718 is commonly taken for granted. In addition, δ phase formed at low temperature (about 1023 K) do not present the same characteristics than the one formed at higher temperatures (from 1173 to 1273 K). The aim of the present study is then to understand how δ phase precipitation could enhance crack initiation in alloy 718, whatever the form of δ phase is. For that purpose, several heat treatments leading to δ phase precipitation were realized on two alloy 718 heats, one sensitive to IGSCC and the second not. Specific slow strain rate tensile tests carried out on thin tensile specimens in simulated PWR primary medium at 633 K conclusively prove that δ phase has no effect on the intrinsic sensitivity to intergranular crack initiation of tested heats.     

Advanced TEM characterization of stress corrosion cracking of Alloy 600 in pressurized water reactor primary water environment

Advanced transmission electron microscopy techniques were carried out in order to investigate stress corrosion cracking in Alloy 600 U-bend samples exposed in simulated PWR primary water at 330 °C. Using high-resolution imaging and fine-probe chemical analysis methods, ultrafine size oxides present inside cracks and intergranular attacks were nanoscale characterized. Results revealed predominance of Cr₂O₃ oxide and Ni-rich metal zones at the majority of encountered crack tip areas and at leading edge of intergranular attacks. However, NiO-structure oxide was predominant far from crack tip zones and within cracks propagating along twin boundaries and inside grains. These observations permit to suggest a mechanism for intergranular stress corrosion cracking of Alloy 600 in PWR primary water. Indeed, the results suggest that stress corrosion cracking is depending on chromium oxide growth in the grain boundary. Oxide growth seems to be dependent on oxygen diffusion in porous oxide and chromium diffusion in strained alloy and in grain boundary beyond crack tip. Strain could promote transport kinetic and oxide formation by increasing defaults rate like dislocations.     

Segregation effects on the corrosion behaviour of a phosphorus-doped AISI type 304L stainless steel

The effect of grain boundary (GB) segregation on intergranular stress corrosion cracking (IGSCC) in hot water environments at 150°C and 250°C was studied in a P-doped AISI type 304L stainless steel. The extent of segregation was measured by an exposure test in boiling 5 N HNO₃ + 8g/L K₂Cr₂O₇ solution as well as by a potentiostatic etch test at +1325 mV (SHE) in 5 N H₂SO₄ solution. Although GB segregation was detected in all the aged specimens, IGSCC was shown by only the specimens aged for 550°C/1000 h. The results suggest that it is the GB chromium depletion, rather than the segregation of phosphorus at the GBs, that controls IGSCC of stainless steels in the hot water environments studied.     

Influence of Portevin-Le Chatelier effect on rupture mode of alloy 718 specimens

A set of tensile tests has been carried out under air environment in the temperature range (450-700 °C) in order to characterize the interactions between oxidation assisted intergranular cracking and Portevin-Le Chatelier effect. It is shown that the occurrence of jerky flow stops the intergranular damaging mechanism. The construction of a temperature versus strain rate diagram showing dynamic strain aging, intergranular fracture and PLC instabilities locations is then proposed. The surprising relation between crack initiation disappearance and PLC instabilities of type C in the temperature range explored is discussed. Finally the assumption of the occurrence of such phenomenon at the tip of a propagating crack is addressed.     

Effects of hydrogen content and temperature on fracture toughness of Zircaloy-4

The influence of hydrogen content and temperature on the fracture toughness of a Zircaloy-4 commercial alloy was studied in this work. Toughness was measured on CT specimens obtained from a rolled material. The analysis was performed in terms of J-integral resistance curves. The specimens were fatigue pre-cracked and hydrogen charged before testing them at different temperatures in the range of 293–473 K. A negative influence of the H content on material toughness was important even at very small concentrations, being partially restored when the test temperature increased. Except for some specimens with high H concentration tested at room temperature, the macroscopic fracture behaviour was ductile. The role of Zr-hydrides and Zr(Fe,Cr)₂ precipitates in the crack growth and the dependence with hydrogen content were analysed by observation of the fracture surfaces and determination of the Zr(Fe,Cr)₂ precipitates density on them.     

Review of the thermodynamic basis for models of delayed hydride cracking rate in zirconium alloys

A review is given of the thermodynamic basis of a model developed by Dutton and Puls for the rate of subcritical crack propagation by delayed hydride cracking in zirconium alloys. This review was prompted, in part, by the publications of a series of recent papers by Kim and co-workers in which it is claimed that the thermodynamic basis of the Dutton and Puls model and its subsequent refinements is incorrect, prompting them to propose a new model. This review demonstrates the validity of the original model and shows the origin of the error made by Kim in claiming that the Dutton and Puls model was incorrectly formulated. It also explains the reasons why Kim’s new delayed hydride cracking model is incorrect. This review was further prompted by the author’s realization that the series of papers documenting the development of the various versions of the original Dutton and Puls model contain typographical errors, differences in sign convention, differences in input data, minor errors and/or changes in formal representation as well as occasional misleading, confusing or incorrect statements of the physical significance of the thermodynamic basis of the model. All of these shortcomings could have resulted in misunderstandings regarding the correct formulation of the model and the physical significance of the results. Therefore another important purpose of this review is to provide an updated treatment of the original version that puts all subsequent versions of the DHC model on a consistent thermodynamic basis.     

Investigation of liquid film behavior at the onset of flooding during adiabatic counter-current air–water two-phase flow in an inclined pipe

The liquid film characteristics at the onset of flooding in an inclined pipe (16 mm i.d. and 2.2 m in length) have been investigated experimentally. A constant electric current method and visual observation were utilized to elucidate the flow mechanisms at the onset of flooding. Two mechanisms are clarified to control the flooding in lower flooding and upper flooding, respectively. The lower flooding occurred at lower liquid flow rate and high pipe inclination angle. In this mechanism, the liquid film does not block the pipe cross-section. On the other hand, the upper flooding occurred at higher liquid flow rate and low pipe inclination angle. In this case, blocking of the pipe cross-section by large wave and entrainment plays an important role. The experimental data indicated that there was no reversal motion of liquid film at the onset of flooding during the operation of both lower flooding and upper flooding. The effects of pipe inclination angle on the onset of flooding are also discussed.     

Fractographic and microstructural characterization of irradiated 304 stainless steel intergranularly fractured in inert gas

Fractographic and microstructural examinations were performed by scanning and transmission electron microscopy, respectively, and correlated, for the thermally sensitized 304 stainless steel (SS) irradiated to 1.2×10²¹ n/cm² (E>1 MeV) in BWR condition and fractured intergranularly in 290 °C inert gas. Intergranular (IG) cracks were present in the specimen surface region and the fracture surface periphery. The fractography showed IG facets decorated with various patterns of linear features/steps. The microstructures of the surface region revealed linear features/deformation twinning near grain boundaries and microtwins at grain boundaries. The linear features identified on the [1 1 1] habit plane varied depending on deformation levels. The high number density of microtwins evidences a high local stress and strain concentration, which may nucleate and initiate at the impingement of deformation twins and grain boundaries. Therefore we conclude that a mechanism causing the IG cracking mechanically in non-aqueous environment is present in the highly irradiated austenitic SS.     

Fracture of cylindrical and spherical shells containing a crack

Fatigue and fracture of cylindrical and spherical shells containing a through crack and subjected to internal pressure or torsion are considered. The stress intensity factor ratios giving the effect of curvature are obtained as functions of a dimensionless shell parameter. By using the conventional plastic strip model the plastic zone size around the crack tip and the crack opening displacement are calculated. The calculated COD values are shown to be in good agreement with the experimental results. The fracture criterion of critical COD is verified by using the results of the burst tests in titanium and aluminum alloy cryogenic pressure vessels. Modified fatigue crack propagation models taking into account the bending effect in shells are introduced and are applied to the analysis of experimental data obtained from flat plates, and cylindrical shells under axial tension, internal pressure, and torsion. Finally, the paper includes the effect of humidity on the crack growth rate and the effect of load biaxiality on the rupture strength.     

Thermal properties of redeposition layers in the JT-60U divertor region

Thermal properties of the redeposition layer on the inner plate of the W-shaped divertor of JT-60U have been measured with laser flash method so as to estimate transient heat loads onto the divertor. Morphology analysis of the redeposition layer was conducted with a scanning electron microscope. Measurement of a redeposition layer sample of more than 200 μm thick, which had been produced near the most frequent striking point, showed following results: (1) the bulk density of the redeposition layer is about half of that of carbon fiber composite material; (2) the specific heat of the layer is roughly equal to that of the isotropic graphite; (3) the thermal conductivity of the redeposition layer is two orders of magnitude smaller than that of the carbon fiber composite. This low thermal conductivity of the redeposition layer is considered to be caused by a low graphitization degree of the redeposition layer. The difference between the divertor heat loads and the loss of the plasma stored energy becomes smaller taking account of thermal properties of the redeposition layer on the inner divertor, whereas estimated heat loads due to the ELMs is still larger than the loss. This is probably caused by the poloidal distribution of the thermal properties.     

Corrosion characteristics and oxide microstructures of Zircaloy-4 in aqueous alkali hydroxide solutions

The corrosion characteristics of Zircaloy-4 have been investigated in various aqueous solutions of LiOH, NaOH, KOH, RbOH and CsOH with equimolar M⁺ and OH⁻ at 350°C. The characterization of the oxides was performed using transmission electron microscope (TEM) and scanning electron microscope (SEM) on the samples which were prepared to have an equal oxide thickness in pre-transition and post-transition regimes. At a low concentration (4.3 mmol) of aqueous alkali hydroxide solutions, the corrosion rates decrease gradually as the ionic radius of cation increases. At a high concentration (32.5 mmol), the corrosion rate increases significantly in LiOH solution and slightly in NaOH solution, but in the other hydroxide solutions such as KOH, RbOH and CsOH, the corrosion rate is not accelerated. Even if the specimens have an equal oxide thickness in LiOH, NaOH and KOH solutions, the oxide microstructure formed in the LiOH solution is quite different from those formed in the NaOH or the KOH solutions. In the LiOH solution, the oxides grown in the pre-transition regime as well as in the post-transition regime have an equiaxed structure including many pores and open grain boundaries. The oxides grown in the NaOH solution have a protective columnar structure in the pre-transition regime but an equiaxed structure in the post-transition regime. On the other hand, in the KOH solution, the columnar structure is maintained from its pre-transition regime to the post-transition regime. On the basis of the above results, it can be suggested that the cation incorporation into zirconium oxide would control the oxide microstructure, the oxide growth mechanism at the metal–oxide interface and the corrosion rate in alkali hydroxide solutions.     

Thermal compatibility studies of U3Si2 dispersion fuels prepared with centrifugally atomized powder

The interaction between atomized U₃Si₂ and aluminum in dispersion fuel samples has been characterized and compared with that of comminuted U₃Si₂. Fuel samples with atomized powder showed a smaller volume increase compared to those with the comminuted powder, irrespective of heat treatment, and volume fraction of U₃Si₂ powder. The possible reasons for this seem to be as follows: (1) the smaller specific surface area of the atomized spherical powder compared to the irregular comminuted powder translating in a smaller U₃Si₂–Al interface area for the former affecting what appears to be a diffusion-controlled interaction process, (2) the atomized fuel samples also contain lower fraction of as-fabricated porosity than the comminuted fuel samples, which may enhance the restraint force in the swelling fuel meat, (3) the comminuted powder particles have distinctive aluminum penetration paths in the form of deformation zones that originated from the comminution process. There appear to be two pronounced penetration paths of aluminum into atomized U₃Si₂ powder; (1) through the phase interface, leaving a central unreacted island, (2) along grain boundaries, leaving several unreacted islands.     

Evaluation of the effect of perforations in the collector vessel of a steam generator on the critical stress intensity coefficient

An approach to calculating the effective critical stress intensity coefficient for mainline cracks in the perforation zone of the first-loop collector of a VVER steam generator is examined. The energy criterion is chosen as the condition for crack stability: the decrease of the elastic deformation energy which is due to the opening of a growing crack should not exceed the change of the surface energy of the crack in the process. The difference between the critical stress intensity coefficient for a mainline crack in the continuous and perforated regions is analyzed. Relations making it possible to lower the critical stress intensity coefficient as a function of the parameters of the perforation (spacing, diameter of openings) as well as the dimensions and orientation of the mainline crack in the perforation zone are presented.     

Investigation on constraint effect of reactor pressure vessel under pressurized thermal shock

In recent years, the integrity of reactor pressure vessels (RPVs) under pressurized thermal shock (PTS) accident has been treated as one of the most critical issues. Under PTS condition, the combination of thermal stress due to a steep temperature gradient and mechanical stress due to internal pressure causes considerable tensile stress inside the RPV wall. As a result, cracks on the inner surface of RPVs can experience elastic-plastic behavior that can be explained using the J-integral. In such a case, however, the J-integral may possibly lose its validity due to the constraint effect. The degree of constraint effect is influenced by the loading mode, the crack geometry and the material properties. In this paper, three-dimensional finite element analyses are performed for various surface cracks to investigate the effect of clad thickness and crack geometry on the constraint effect. A total of 36 crack geometries are analyzed and results are presented by the two-parameter characterization based on the J-integral and the Q-stress.     

Effect of corrosion potential on the corrosion fatigue crack growth behaviour of low-alloy steels in high-temperature water

The low-frequency corrosion fatigue (CF) crack growth behaviour of different low-alloy reactor pressure vessel steels was characterized under simulated boiling water reactor conditions by cyclic fatigue tests with pre-cracked fracture mechanics specimens. The experiments were performed in the temperature range of 240-288 °C with different loading parameters at different electrochemical corrosion potentials (ECPs). Modern high-temperature water loops, on-line crack growth monitoring (DCPD) and fractographical analysis by SEM were used to quantify the cracking response. In this paper the effect of ECP on the CF crack growth behaviour is discussed and compared with the crack growth model of General Electric (GE). The ECP mainly affected the transition from fast (‘high-sulphur’) to slow (‘low-sulphur’) CF crack growth, which appeared as critical frequencies ν_crit = f(ΔK, R, ECP) and ΔK-thresholds ΔK_EAC = f(ν, R, ECP) in the cycle-based form and as a critical air fatigue crack growth rate da/dt_Air,crit in the time-domain form. The critical crack growth rates, frequencies, and ΔK_EAC-thresholds were shifted to lower values with increasing ECP. The CF crack growth rates of all materials were conservatively covered by the ‘high-sulphur’ CF line of the GE-model for all investigated temperatures and frequencies. Under most system conditions, the model seems to reasonably well predict the experimentally observed parameter trends. Only under highly oxidizing conditions (ECP ? 0 mV_SHE) and slow strain rates/low loading frequencies the GE-model does not conservatively cover the experimentally gathered crack growth rate data. Based on the GE-model and the observed cracking behaviour a simple time-domain superposition-model could be used to develop improved reference CF crack growth curves for codes.     

Calculations of the tritium re-emission rate in the DEMO first wall

The deuterium and tritium re-emission fluxes from the first wall (FW) of the DEMO reactor have been calculated. The influence of temperature of the first wall (FW), surface conditions, and trapping in neutron-produced defects on the tritium re-emission rate has been considered.     

Recombination mechanism of point defect loss to coherent precipitates in alloys under irradiation

A new mechanism of defect loss by enhanced recombination inside coherent precipitates in alloys under irradiation is described. The mechanism is examined quantitatively to find the microstructural parameters responsible for resistance to dimensional instability. The proposed model explains why radiation properties of Zr–Nb alloys depend on density of fine-grained precipitates of β_Nb-phase.     

Thermal stability and brazing characteristics of Zr0.7−xMxBe0.3 (M=Ti or Nb) ternary amorphous filler metals

The effects of Ti or Nb substitution on the thermal stability and brazing characteristics of Zr_0.7−xM_xBe_0.3 (M=Ti or Nb) ternary amorphous alloys were investigated in order to improve properties of Zr–Be binary amorphous alloy as a new filler metal for joining zirconium alloy. The Zr_0.7−xM_xBe_0.3 (M=Ti or Nb; 0x0.1) ternary amorphous alloys were produced by melt-spinning method. In the selected compositional range, the thermal stability of Zr_0.7−xTi_xBe_0.3 and Zr_0.7−xNb_xBe_0.3 amorphous alloys are improved by the substitution of titanium or niobium for zirconium. As the Ti and Nb content increases, the crystallization temperatures increase from 610°C to 717°C and 610°C to 678°C, respectively. These amorphous alloys were put into practical use in joining bearing pads on zircaloy cladding sheath. Using Zr–Ti–Be amorphous alloys as filler metals, smooth interface and spherical primary particles (proeutectic phase) appear in the brazed layer, which is the similar microstructure of using Zr_0.7Be_0.3 binary amorphous alloys. In the case of Zr–Nb–Be amorphous alloys, Ni-precipitated Zr phase that may cause some degradation in ductility and corrosion-resistance is formed at both sides of the brazed layer.     

金属基弥散燃料元件失稳肿胀的静态弹塑性模型

针对金属基弥散燃料元件金属基体开裂导致的失稳肿胀,在不考虑粘塑性变形情况下建立了裂纹面的静态弹塑性模型,采用有限元模拟对静态弹塑性模型进行了验证。当金属基体发生全屈服后,其主要变形方式从弹性变形转变为塑性变形;根据金属基体的主要变形方式,分别建立金属基弥散燃料裂纹面的弹性变形模型和塑性变形模型;结合内应力与弯矩的平衡条件,获得了裂纹面弹塑性变形的临界转变条件。弹性变形模型和塑性变形模型的计算结果与有限元模拟结果符合较好,验证了金属基弥散燃料失稳肿胀的静态弹塑性模型的有效性。      

Crack opening displacement of circumferential through-wall cracked cylinders subjected to tensile and through-wall bending loads

This study is concerned with crack opening displacements (CODs) of cylinders with a circumferential through-wall crack which is subjected to tensile and through-wall bending loads. A series of FEM analyses were performed in various scaled cylinders, and then the present results on the CODs were compared with the previous studies. Especially, the crack opening behaviors of the large scaled cylinders under a membrane stress and a through-wall bending stress were characterized evidently in this study. The present results are expected to be valid for the leakage evaluation of structures which is subjected to internal pressure and thermal distribution.