Initiation of Environmentally Assisted Cracking in High-Temperature Water

Abstract

The initiation of environmentally assisted cracking (EAC) in simulated boiling water reactor (BWR) high-temperature water was studied on stainless steels using smooth specimens at static load. Cracks usually initiated from the surface scratches produced during machining. Based on crack cross-sectional observations, the initiation process was explained by metal oxidation.