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Influence of dissolved hydrogen on nickel alloy SCC in high temperature water

Technical Report ·
DOI:https://doi.org/10.2172/314149· OSTI ID:314149
; ; ;  [1]
  1. Lockheed Martin, Schenectady, NY (United States)
Stress corrosion crack growth rate (SCCGR) tests of nickel alloys were conducted at 338 C and 360 C as a function of the hydrogen concentration in high purity water. Test results identified up to a 7 x effect of hydrogen levels in the water on crack growth rate, where the lowest growth rates were associated with the highest hydrogen levels. At 338 C, the crack growth rate decreased as the hydrogen levels were increased. However, different results were observed for the test conducted at 360 C. As the hydrogen level was increased in the 360 C tests, the crack growth rate initially increased, a maximum was exhibited at a hydrogen level of {approximately} 20 scc/kg, and thereafter the crack growth rate decreased. Based on this testing and a review of the commercial literature, the thermodynamic stability of nickel oxide, not the dissolved hydrogen concentration, was identified as a fundamental parameter influencing the susceptibility of nickel alloys to SCC. These test results are discussed in relation to the accuracy of extrapolating high temperature SCC results to lower temperatures.
Research Organization:
Knolls Atomic Power Lab., Schenectady, NY (United States)
Sponsoring Organization:
USDOE Assistant Secretary for Nuclear Energy, Washington, DC (United States)
DOE Contract Number:
AC12-76SN00052
OSTI ID:
314149
Report Number(s):
KAPL-P--000114; K--98155; CONF-990301--; ON: DE99001686
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English