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U.S. Department of Energy
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The addition of zinc to primary reactor coolant for enhanced PWSCC resistance

Conference ·
OSTI ID:48084

The effect of zinc borate additions on the primary water stress corrosion cracking (PWSCC) of specimens exposed to simulated pressurized water reactor (PWR) primary coolant was evaluated in the laboratory. Highly stressed reverse U-bend (RUB) specimens of Alloy 600MA, Alloy 600TT, and Alloy 690TT, were exposed under simulated PWR conditions of chemistry, temperature and pressure. Statistically significant reductions in the initiation and extent of observed cracking of the RUB`s were observed as a function of zinc additions versus controlled experiments in the absence of zinc additives. Coupons of other primary side materials of interest showed that both overall corrosion and metal release to solution were reduced in the presence of zinc. Additional qualification work, considering all aspects of system performance, is presently ongoing.

OSTI ID:
48084
Report Number(s):
CONF-910808--
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English