IGSCC initiation and crack growth models for cold worked stainless steels

Abstract

During preventive maintenance checks on the primary circuit of Civaux Unit 1 in 2021, defects were detected close to the welds on the pipes of the safety injection system (SIS) circuit. Detailed examinations revealed fully intergranular stress corrosion cracking (IGSCC) located in the HAZ of 316L tubes. In this context, IGSCC existing models have been upgraded, based on recent laboratory tests, in order to better simulate in-service degradations.