Shock resistance of composite material pipes
- Electricite de France, Moret (France). DER Dept. Etudes de Materiaux
- CEA CEN de Cadarache, Saint-Paul lez Durance (France)
Composite materials have found a wide range of applications for EDF nuclear plants. Applications include fire pipework, demineralized water, service water, and emergency-supplied service water piping. Some of those pipework is classified nuclear safety, their integrity (resistance to water aging and earthquakes or accidental excess pressure (water hammer)) must be safeguarded. As composite materials generally suffer damage for low energy impacts (under 10 J), the pipes planned for the Civaux power plant have been studied for their resistance to a low speed shock (0 to 50 m/s) and of a 0 to 110 J energy level. For three representative diameters (20, 150, 600 mm), the minimum impact energy that leads to a leak has been determined to be respectively 18, 20 and 48 J. Then the leak rate versus impact energy was plotted; until roughly 90 J, the leak rate remains stable at less than 25 cm{sup 3}/h and raises to higher values (300 cm{sup 3}/h) afterwards. The level of leakage in the range of impact energy tested always stays within the limits set by the Safety Authorities for metallic pipes. These results have been linked to destructive examinations, to clarify the damage mechanisms. Other tests are still ongoing to follow the evolution of the damage and of the leak rate while the pipe is maintained under service pressure during one year.
- OSTI ID:
- 122767
- Report Number(s):
- CONF-950521-; ISBN 1-56676-313-4; TRN: 95:024266
- Resource Relation:
- Conference: ENERCOMP 95: international conference on composite materials and energy, Montreal (Canada), 8-10 May 1995; Other Information: PBD: 1995; Related Information: Is Part Of International conference on composite materials and energy: Proceedings. Enercomp 95; PB: 1080 p.
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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