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Effects of temperature on fatigue crack growth of a 508-2 steel in LWR environment

Technical Report ·
DOI:https://doi.org/10.2172/6272176· OSTI ID:6272176

Fatigue crack growth rates were determined for A 508-2 steel in pressurized high-temperature, reactor-grade water, over a temperature range of 93/sup 0/C to 288/sup 0/C (200/sup 0/F to 550/sup 0/F). In addition, studies of the oxide layer on the fatigue fracture surface and of the fractography of these specimens were completed in order to provide information on corrosion-assisted, fatigue crack growth mechanisms. The crack growth data show a distinct minimum in growth rate at approx. 200/sup 0/C (approx. 400/sup 0/F). Magnetite (Fe/sub 3/O/sub 4/) was found on the fatigue fracture surfaces at all temperatures. The fractography shows brittle-like features for all test temperatures. These observations suggest that hydrogen evolution may have occurred and that hydrogen-assisted crack growth may be responsible for the environmental effects observed.

Research Organization:
Materials Engineering Associates, Inc., Lanham, MD (USA); Valtion Teknillinen Tutkimuskeskus, Espoo (Finland)
OSTI ID:
6272176
Report Number(s):
NUREG/CR-3230; MEA-2013; ON: DE83902017
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English