The SCC initiation behavior of Alloy 600 during the transition of hydrogenated/oxygenated water condition at evaluated temperature

Abstract

Abstract The present work investigated the stress corrosion cracking (SCC) initiation behavior of Alloy 600 during the transition of hydrogenated/oxygenated water condition at evaluated temperature. Slow strain rate test (SSRT) was applied and the test was divided into the pre-immersion period and load period. Hydrogenated/oxygenated water transition was implemented to realize the in-situ hydrogen charging. Pre-immersion in hydrogenated water chemistry can enhance SCC initiation happening in the following oxygenated water chemistry in terms of a higher crack density. The phenomena were attributed to the enhanced effect of the pre-charged hydrogen in metal on oxidation process and the consequent formation of less protective oxide film when the oxygenated condition is applied and the implications of the phenomena in the nuclear power plant were also given.