Stress Corrosion Cracking Growth of Alloy 800NG in Pressurized Water Reactor Primary Water

The primary purpose of this research is to examine the stress corrosion cracking (SCC) resistance of Alloy 800NG in pressurized water reactor (PWR) primary water and pressurized heavy water reactor (PHWR) primary water. Rates of SCC growth of 20% cold-worked (CW) Alloy 800NG measured over the temperature range between 270°C and 360°C were compared with previously reported results for 20% CW Alloy TT690 and 20% CW Alloy 600 in order to consider which material is the most SCC resistant among materials presently being used for steam generator (SG) tubing worldwide. The secondary purpose is to examine the effect of chromium addition on SCC growth in PWR primary water of a series of alloys based on the Alloy 800 composition. SCC growth measurements were performed in PWR primary water over the chromium concentration range from 16% to 27% to obtain fundamental knowledge useful for considering a future alternative SCC-resistant material for SG tubing in extended life PWRs and PHWRs. The third objective is to exam...