Sensitization and IGSCC susceptibility prediction in stainless steel pipe weldments

An analytical model, based on prediction of chromium depletion, has been developed for predicting thermomechanical effects on austenitic stainless steel intergranular stress corrosion cracking (IGSCC) susceptibility. Model development and validation is based on sensitization development analysis of over 30 Type 316 and 304 stainless steel heats. The data base included analysis of deformation effects on resultant sensitization development. Continuous Cooling sensitization behavior is examined and modelled with and without strain. Gas tungsten are (GTA) girth pipe weldments are also characterized by experimental measurements of heat affected zone (HAZ) temperatures, strains and sensitization during/after each pass; pass by pass thermal histories are also predicted. The model is then used to assess pipe chemistry changes on IGSCC resistance

Materials Characterization Center meeting on impact testing of waste forms. Summary report

A meeting was held on March 25-26, 1981 to discuss impact test methods for waste form materials to be used in nuclear waste repositories. The purpose of the meeting was to obtain guidance for the Materials Characterization Center (MCC) in preparing the MCC-10 Impact Test Method to be approved by the Materials Review Board. The meeting focused on two essential aspects of the test method, namely the mechanical process, or impact, used to effect rapid fracture of a waste form and the analysis technique(s) used to characterize particulates generated by the impact

Analysis of various NDT techniques to determine their feasibility for detecting thin layers of ferrite on Type 316 stainless steel

The applicability of various NDT techniques for detecting thin layers of ferrite on Type 316 stainless steel cladding was studied. The ability to detect sodium-induced ferrite layers on fuel pins would allow an experimental determination of the fuel pin temperature distribution. The research effort was broken down into three basic sections. Phase one consisted of a theoretical determination of the ferrite detection potential of each of the propsed NDT techniques. The second phase consisted of proof-of-principle experiments on the techniques that passed phase one. The third phase consisted of in-hot cell testing on actual EBR-II fuel pins. Most of the candidate techniques were eliminated in the first phase of analysis. Four potential techniques passed the initial phase of analysis but only three of these passed the second analysis phase. The three techniques that passed the proof-of-principle section of analysis were heat tinting, magnetic force and electromagnetic techniques. The electromagnetic technique was successfully demonstrated on actual fuel pins irradiated in EBR-II in the third phase of analysis while the other two techniques were not carried to the hot cell analysis phase. Results of this technique screening study indicates that an electromagnetic and/or heat tinting ferrite layer NDT technique should be readily adoptable to hot cell inspection requirements. It wasalso concluded that the magnetic force technique, while feasible, would not readily lend itself to hot cell fuel pin inspection

Assessment of the feasibility of developing a Hanford Site weld modeling program

Welding on the Hanford Site is an everyday occurrence, and most of the weldments made on site are relatively straightforward. Groove geometries, fillers, and wleding techniques and parameters are normally decided by experience or handbook advice. However, there are other weldments that might employ new materials, as well as one-of-a-kind welding situations. Implementation of a verified analytical weld assessment method would allow optimization of weld metal and heat-affected zone microstructure, and of variables that affect structural deformation and residual stresses. Realistic prediction of weldment thermal and strain history will require the use of a finite element model. Microstructure and resultant properties can be predicted using complex computer-based microstructure evolution models, literature-based empirical equations, or experimentally established behaviors. This report examines the feasibility of developing analytical methods for establishing weld parameter envelopes in new, complex welded configurations

Effect of prior deformation on sensitization development in stainless steel during continuous cooling

Continuous cooling sensitization (CCS) occurs in austenitic stainless steel (SS) weldment HAZs where the material is subjected to weld-induced plastic deformation, and non-linear heating and cooling cycles. The primary purpose of this investigation was to quantitatively determine the effects of prior deformation on CCS. In addition, these results were used to develop a CCS data base for comparison to a recently published sensitization prediction model (SSDOS). Continuous cooling thermal cycling of specimens from high-carbon Type 316 SSs was performed in a computer-controlled Gleeble thermal simulator. The degree of sensitization (DOS) of thermally treated specimens was quantitatively measured using the electrochemical potentiokinetic reactivation (EPR) test. Prior deformation significantly enhanced the rate of CCS development in the Type 316 SS material. The DOS increased with increasing amounts of prior strain and decreasing cooling rates. Sensitization response was also sensitive to peak cycle temperatures. Continuous cooling sensitization development occurred primarily in the critical temperature range between about 900 and 750{degree}C. Peak cycle temperatures of 1000 and 1050{degree}C retarded sensitization development during subsequent continuous cooling. Strain recovery at elevated temperatures played an important role in reducing the effectiveness of prior deformation in accelerating sensitization kinetics. Due to the effects of recovery, in certain cases, prior strain values of 20% were only as effective as 10% in increasing the rate of sensitization development. Limited transgranular carbide precipitation was observed in 20% prior strain samples depending on specific thermal cycle parameters but was not a significant factor in the present work. The SSDOS model consistently overpredicted the CCS development in both heats of 316 SS studied, regardless of material condition (i.e. mill-annealed, solution-annealed, and pre-strained materials)

Modeling of residual stress mitigation in austenitic stainless steel pipe girth weldment

This study provides numerical procedures to model 40-cm-diameter, schedule 40, Type 304L stainless steel pipe girth welding and a newly proposed post-weld treatment. The treatment can be used to accomplish the goal of imparting compressive residual stresses at the inner surface of a pipe girth weldment to prevent/retard the intergranular stress corrosion cracking (IGSCC) of the piping system in nuclear reactors. This new post-weld treatment for mitigating residual stresses is cooling stress improvement (CSI). The concept of CSI is to establish and maintain a certain temperature gradient across the pipe wall thickness to change the final stress state. Thus, this process involves sub-zero low temperature cooling of the inner pipe surface of a completed girth weldment, while simultaneously keeping the outer pipe surface at a slightly elevated temperature with the help of a certain heating method. Analyses to obtain quantitative results on pipe girth welding and CSI by using a thermo-elastic-plastic finite element model are described in this paper. Results demonstrate the potential effectiveness of CSI for introducing compressive residual stresses to prevent/retard IGSCC. Because of the symmetric nature of CSI, it shows great potential for industrial application

Sensitization and IGSCC susceptibility prediction in stainless steel pipe weldments

An analytical model, based on prediction of chromium depletion, has been developed for predicting thermomechanical effects on austenitic stainless steel intergranular stress corrosion cracking (IGSCC) susceptibility. Model development and validation is based on sensitization development analysis of over 30 Type 316 and 304 stainless steel heats. The data base included analysis of deformation effects on resultant sensitization development. Continuous Cooling sensitization behavior is examined and modelled with and without strain. Gas tungsten are (GTA) girth pipe weldments are also characterized by experimental measurements of heat affected zone (HAZ) temperatures, strains and sensitization during/after each pass; pass by pass thermal histories are also predicted. The model is then used to assess pipe chemistry changes on IGSCC resistance

Factors affecting the failure of copper connectors brazed to copper bus bar segments on a 615-MVA hydroelectric generator at Grand Coulee Dam

On March 21, 1986, the United States Bureau of Reclamation experienced a ground fault in the main parallel ring assembly of Unit G19 - a 615-MVA hydroelectric generator - at Grand Coulee Dam, Washington. Inspection of the unit revealed that the ground fault had been induced by fracture of one or more of the copper connectors used to join adjacent segments of one of the bus bars in the north half of the assembly. Various experimental techniques were used to detect and determine the presence of cracks, crack morphology, corrosion products, and material microstructure and/or embrittlement. The results of these inspections and recommendations are given. 7 refs., 27 figs