HYDROGEN EMBRITTLEMENT OF STEEL PRESSURE VESSELS IN PRESSURISED WATER REACTOR SYSTEMS
The possible sources of hydrogen in pressurized water reactor systems are considered in relation to the possible embrittlement of unclad ferritic steel pressure vessels. It was concluded that the only significant source of hydrogen is that due to the corrosion reaction at the steel-water interface. The hydrogen concentrations at the inner surfaces of the steel vessels and the equivalent hydrogen pressures were calculated for pressure vessels operating at 250, 280, and 315 deg C, respectively and ranging in thickness from 0.5 to 10 in. (1.2--25 cm), assuming a pessimistic corrosion rate of 75 mg/dm/sup 2/ x month and that all the corrosion-induced hydrogen enters the steel. The existing information on the effects of hydrogen in iron and steel and considerations of the possible effects of irradiation suggest that low alloy steels will be immune to hydrogen embrittlement in pressurized water reactor systems. However, plain carbon steels in the form of thick pressure vessels might well be embrittled under similar conditions. (auth)
- Research Organization:
- Atomic Energy Research Establishment, Harwell, Berks, Eng.
- NSA Number:
- NSA-18-005796
- OSTI ID:
- 4128188
- Journal Information:
- Journal of Nuclear Materials (Netherlands), Vol. Vol: 9; Other Information: Orig. Receipt Date: 31-DEC-64
- Country of Publication:
- Country unknown/Code not available
- Language:
- English
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