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U.S. Department of Energy
Office of Scientific and Technical Information

Alloy 600 corrosion monitor based on fiber optic strain gage

Conference ·
OSTI ID:376150
 [1];  [2]
  1. Babcock and Wilcox, Alliance, OH (United States). Research and Development Div.
  2. Electric Power Research Inst., Palo Alto, CA (United States)

There is a real need to measure strain at high temperatures in many applications. For example, in nuclear steam generators that contain Alloy 600 tubing, intergranular attack (IGA) and stress corrosion cracking (SCC) are significant problems. Measuring strain in this tubing might provide an early warning of the onset of IGA/SCC and the rate of SCC progression. This report describes a method to measure the onset of IGA and the progression of SCC that occurs at a crevice on the inside surface of a tube. The measurement is accomplished by monitoring strain on the outside surface of the tube using welded, fiber-optic strain gages. In an actual application of this approach in a power plant, the strain gages must survive temperatures above 600 F for extended periods (months or years) and must provide repeatable measurements.

OSTI ID:
376150
Report Number(s):
CONF-960426--
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English