The influence of ppb levels of chloride impurities on the stain-induced corrosion cracking and corrosion fatigue crack growth behavior of low-alloy steels under simulated boling water reactor conditions

摘要

The effect of chloride on the strain-induced corrosion cracking (SICC) and corrosion fatigue (CF) crack growth behaviour in low-alloy reactor pressure vessel steels was evaluated under simulated boiling water reactor normal water chemistry conditions by slow rising load and cyclic constant load amplitude tests with air fatigue pre-cracked fracture mechanics specimens. Chloride in the ppb level range increased the SICC initiation susceptibility, but had almost no effect on the subsequent SICC and CF crack growth. A strong effect of chloride addition of 100 ppb on CF crack growth was observed at intermediate corrosion potentials and very low loading frequencies only. (C) 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.