Study of the applicability of ultrasonic inspection to the SNAP-27 clad closure welds

Technical Report · Wed Mar 20 00:00:00 EST 1968

OSTI ID:7253775

Coffey, D L; Gray, M I

The study was undertaken to determine the applicability of ultrasonic inspection to the SNAP-27 clad closure welds. This study specifically applies to the ultrasonic inspection techniques used to evaluate the SNAP-27 clad closure welds and should not be constructed as an overall evaluation of ultrasonic inspection methods. Radiographic, metallographic, and dye penetrant inspection methods were used to determine if weld defects exist at those locations where ultrasonic indications occur. Four example and test welds made during the fabrication of the third heat source were used for this study. Two of these weld specimens had double weld beads, i.e., a second weld on top of the first weld. The start and overlap of the second weld was located about 180/sup 0/ from the start and overlap of the first weld. It is concluded that the ultrasonic inspection method presently employed on this program should not be used in determining the final acceptance of the SNAP-27 clad closure welds. The available technical data indicate that the application of this particular ultrasonic inspection method to the clad closure welds gives results which do not have sufficient reliability to be used for any purpose other than as an inspection guide. This inspection method may be suitable for use as a preliminary tool to be used in conjunction with better established NDT methods such as radiography.

• Research Organization: Mound Lab., Miamisburg, OH (USA)
• DOE Contract Number: EY-76-C-04-0053
• OSTI ID: 7253775
• Report Number(s): MLM-MU-68-63-0003
• Resource Relation: Other Information: Declassified Apr 1975
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

07 ISOTOPES AND RADIATION SOURCES
30 DIRECT ENERGY CONVERSION
RADIOISOTOPE HEAT SOURCES
WELDED JOINTS
SNAP 27 BATTERY
ULTRASONIC TESTING
RELIABILITY
ACOUSTIC TESTING
DIRECT ENERGY CONVERTERS
HEAT SOURCES
JOINTS
MATERIALS TESTING
NONDESTRUCTIVE TESTING
RADIOISOTOPE BATTERIES
SNAP BATTERIES
TESTING
NESDPS Office of Nuclear Energy Space and Defense Power Systems
070300* - Isotopic Power Supplies
300303 - Thermoelectric Generators- Materials
Components
& Auxiliaries