How irradiation promotes intergranular stress corrosion crack initiation

G. S. Was, C. B. Bahn, J. Busby, B. Cui, D. Farkas, M. Gussev, M. Rigen He, J. Hesterberg, Z. Jiao, D. Johnson, W. Kuang, M. McMurtrey, I. Robertson, A. Sinjlawi, M. Song, K. Stephenson, K. Sun, S. Swaminathan, M. Wang, E. West

Research output: Contribution to journalReview articlepeer-review

Abstract

Irradiation assisted stress corrosion cracking (IASCC) is a form of intergranular stress corrosion cracking that occurs in irradiated austenitic alloys. It requires an irradiated microstructure along with high temperature water and stress. The process is ubiquitous in that it occurs in a wide range of austenitic alloys and water chemistries, but only when the alloy is irradiated. Despite evidence of this degradation mode that dates back to the 1960s, the mechanism by which it occurs has remained elusive. Here, using high resolution electron backscattering detection to analyze local stress-strain states, high resolution transmission electron microscopy to identify grain boundary phases at crack tips, and decoupling the roles of stress and grain boundary oxidation, we are able to unfold the complexities of the phenomenon to reveal the mechanism by which IASCC occurs. The significance of the findings impacts the mechanical integrity of core components of both current and advanced nuclear reactor designs worldwide.

Original languageEnglish
Article number101255
JournalProgress in Materials Science
Volume143
Early online dateFeb 16 2024
DOIs
StateE-pub ahead of print - Feb 16 2024

Keywords

  • Austenitic alloys
  • Dislocation channels
  • Grain boundaries
  • Irradiation
  • Localized deformation
  • Oxidation
  • Stress corrosion cracking

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