Stress Corrosion Crack Growth of Alloy 52M in Simulated PWR Primary Water

Abstract

Crack-growth experiments have been performed on five different alloy 52M welds in simulated PWR primary water at 350°C or 360°C. The alloy 52M test matrix included V-groove and narrow-gap welds, an overlay on alloy 182, and an inlay on alloy 82. For the overlay and inlay materials, crack growth rates are reported only on the alloy 52M weld well beyond the dilution zone. In one of the narrow gap welds, the crack path was oriented to pass through a distribution of pre-existing weld cracks and their influence on stress-corrosion behavior is evaluated. Intergranular stress corrosion cracking (IGSCC) is observed in several alloy 52M welds, however propagation rates remain below 5x10−9 mm/s in all cases. Comparisons will be made to our previous SCC measurements on alloy 152 and 52 welds.