核电爆破阀异种金属焊接接头在PWR一回路水中SCC裂纹扩展行为研究

Study on SCC Propagation Behavior of a Dissimilar Metal Weld Joint of Nuclear Power Squib Valve in PWR Primary Water

  • 摘要: 本文研究了AP1000系列压水堆(PWR)关键非能动安全设备爆破阀阀体316LN-690异种金属焊缝在模拟反应堆一回路服役环境下的应力腐蚀开裂(SCC)行为。通过直流电压降(DCPD)技术在线测量并对比了焊接接头不锈钢焊缝和热影响区(HAZ)的SCC裂纹扩展速率(CGR),分析了环境温度、腐蚀电位、焊接残余应变及载荷等关键因素对316LN焊缝和HAZ SCC裂纹扩展行为的影响规律。研究结果表明,HAZ因存在较高的焊接残余应变表现出较强的SCC敏感性,其CGR与20%冷变形不锈钢相当;而焊缝因δ-铁素体对裂纹的阻碍作用而呈现较低的SCC敏感性。环境温度、溶解氧(DO)环境中的高腐蚀电位及载荷对焊缝和HAZ的SCC CGR均有显著加速作用:温度与CGR遵循阿伦尼乌斯定律,HAZ的裂纹扩展激活能为48 kJ/mol;DO可使其CGR提高1个数量级;应力强度因子与CGR遵循幂指数关系。本文研究结果可为核电爆破阀的老化管理、在役检查和寿命预测提供数据支持。

     

    Abstract: This study aims to elucidate stress corrosion cracking (SCC) behavior in 316LN stainless steel (SS) and alloy 690 dissimilar metal weld joints of AP1000 pressurized water reactor (PWR) squib valves, critical for ensuring structural integrity in passive safety systems. It seeks to quantify crack growth rate (CGR) in the weld and heat affected zone (HAZ) under simulated PWR primary water environments, analyze the effects of temperature, corrosion potential, welding residual strain, and loading, and provide data to support aging management, in-service inspection, and life prediction of these safety-critical components. Experiments employed 0.5T compact tension specimens extracted from a DN450 single-shear cover squib valve mock-up, with weld and HAZ regions of nuclear-grade 316LN SS. Microstructure, hardness, and residual strain were characterized using metallographic analysis, microhardness testing, and electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD). SCC tests were conducted in a high-pressure autoclave replicating PWR primary water conditions (325 ℃, 15.5 MPa, 1 200 ppm B, 2.2 ppm Li), utilizing direct current potential drop (DCPD) for real-time CGR monitoring. Pre-cracking involved step-wise frequency reduction and waveform adjustment to ensure accurate crack propagation. Test parameters, including stress intensity factor (K), temperature (60-325 ℃), and water chemistry (dissolved oxygen or dissolved hydrogen), were systematically varied to assess their influence. Post-test fracture morphology and crack paths were analyzed via scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and EBSD. Results indicate that the HAZ exhibits heightened SCC susceptibility due to elevated welding residual strain, equivalent to 15%-25% cold work, with CGR of (5.6-7.0)×10−8 mm/s at K=20-40 MPa· \sqrt\mathrmm in oxygenated water, comparable to 20% cold work 316LN SS. The weld, containing ~6% δ-ferrite, shows reduced SCC sensitivity, with CGR around 4.5×10−8 mm/s, attributed to δ-ferrite’s crack-blocking effect. Temperature drives CGR following the Arrhenius law, with a 48 kJ/mol activation energy for the HAZ. Dissolved oxygen elevates CGR by an order of magnitude compared to dissolved hydrogen conditions, where weld crack growth nearly ceases. Loading influences HAZ CGR via a power-law relationship (CGR∝K1.8 in dissolved oxygen, K2.0 in dissolved hydrogen), while weld CGR exhibits minimal K dependence. Fracture morphology reveals intergranular cracking with secondary cracks in the HAZ under dissolved oxygen conditions and mixed intergranular-transgranular cracking in the weld. Crack path analysis confirms δ-ferrite’s role in impeding weld crack growth through bifurcation. The study concludes that the HAZ’s high residual strain renders it the most SCC-susceptible region, posing a significant risk to valve integrity, whereas the weld’s δ-ferrite enhances SCC resistance. Temperature and dissolved oxygen accelerate SCC, while dissolved hydrogen mitigates it, emphasizing the importance of water chemistry control. These findings provide critical data for optimizing aging management, refining in-service inspection protocols, and improving life prediction models to ensure the long-term reliability of nuclear squib valves in PWR environments.

     

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