Theoretical estimation of crack growth rates in type 304 stainless steel in boiling-water reactor coolant environments
- Pennsylvania State Univ., University Park, PA (United States)
The coupled-environmental fracture model (CEFM) for intergranular stress corrosion cracking (IGSCC) of sensitized type 304 stainless steel in light-water reactor (LWR) heat-transport circuits was extended by incorporating steel corrosion, hydrogen oxidation, and hydrogen peroxide reduction in addition to oxygen reduction as charge-transfer reactions occurring on the external surfaces. A theoretical fracture mechanics approach was incorporated to estimate the crack-tip strain rate, and a void nucleation model was included to account for ductile failure at very negative potentials. In the CEFM, coupling between the internal and external environments and the need to conserve charge are the key physical and mathematical constraints that determine the rate of crack advance. The model provides rational explanations for the effects of O{sub 2}, H{sub 2}O{sub 2}, H{sub 2}, conductivity, stress intensity, and flow velocity on the crack growth rate (CGR) in sensitized type 304 SS in simulated LWR in-vessel environments. The CEFM was proposed as the basis of a deterministic method for estimating component lifetimes in LWR heat-transport circuits.
- Sponsoring Organization:
- USDOE
- DOE Contract Number:
- FG03-84ER45164
- OSTI ID:
- 392619
- Journal Information:
- Corrosion, Journal Name: Corrosion Journal Issue: 10 Vol. 52; ISSN 0010-9312; ISSN CORRAK
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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