Contributory Factors to Accurate Prediction of Rate of Stress Corrosion Cracking in Boiling Water Reactor Under Unexpected Condition During Operation: Part 3—The Effect of High Loading Rate on SCC Growth Behaviour

Abstract

The goal of the study is to reveal the effect of high loading rate on the stable SCC growth behaviour of nuclear-grade stainless steel, SUS316L. To this end, the Split-Hopkinson pressure bar (SHPB) experiments on SUS316L were performed first to establish the dynamic tensile stress-strain response at strain rates up to 700s−1. The analyses of dynamic stress intensity factors for wedge loading experiments on modified compact tension specimens during SCC test were then performed by the finite element method. The outline of the wedge loading experiments by the use of the Split-Hopkinson pressure bar is briefly mentioned in this paper as well.