Helium bubble distributions in reactor tank repair specimens

Technical Report · Sun Mar 01 04:00:00 EST 1992

DOI:https://doi.org/10.2172/6978377· OSTI ID:6978377

Tosten, M H; Kestin, P A

This report discusses the Reactor Tank Repair (RTR) program was initiated to develop an in-tank repair process capable of repairing stress corrosion cracks within the SRS reactor tank walls, in the event that such a repair is needed. Previous attempts to repair C-reactor tank with a gas tungsten arc (GTA) welding process were unsuccessful due to significant cracking that occurred in the heat-affected-zones adjacent to the repair welds. It was determined that this additional cracking was a result of helium embrittlement caused by the combined effects of helium (existing within the tank walls), the high heat input associated with the GTA process, and weld shrinkage stresses. Based on the results of earlier studies it was suggested that the effects of helium embrittlement could be minimized by using a low heat input GMA process. Metallographic analysis played an important role throughout the investigation of alternative welding methods for the repair of helium-containing materials.

• Research Organization: Westinghouse Savannah River Co., Aiken, SC (United States)
• Sponsoring Organization: DOE; USDOE, Washington, DC (United States)
• DOE Contract Number: AC09-89SR18035
• OSTI ID: 6978377
• Report Number(s): WSRC-TR-91-141; ON: DE93003374
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

21 SPECIFIC NUCLEAR REACTORS AND ASSOCIATED PLANTS
220600* -- Nuclear Reactor Technology-- Research
Test & Experimental Reactors
36 MATERIALS SCIENCE
360101 -- Metals & Alloys-- Preparation & Fabrication
ALLOYS
ARC WELDING
AUSTENITIC STEELS
CHEMICAL REACTIONS
CHROMIUM ALLOYS
CHROMIUM-NICKEL STEELS
CONTAINERS
CORROSION
CORROSION RESISTANT ALLOYS
CRACKS
CRYSTAL STRUCTURE
ELEMENTS
EMBRITTLEMENT
FABRICATION
FLUIDS
GASES
HEAT RESISTANT MATERIALS
HEAT RESISTING ALLOYS
HELIUM
HIGH ALLOY STEELS
IRON ALLOYS
IRON BASE ALLOYS
JOINING
JOINTS
MATERIALS
MICROSTRUCTURE
NATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS
NICKEL ALLOYS
NONMETALS
PRODUCTION REACTORS
RARE GASES
REACTOR VESSELS
REACTORS
REPAIR
SAVANNAH RIVER PLANT
STAINLESS STEEL-304
STAINLESS STEELS
STEEL-CR19NI10
STEELS
STRESS CORROSION
US AEC
US DOE
US ERDA
US ORGANIZATIONS
WELDED JOINTS
WELDING