Role of Work-Hardened Surface Layer in 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 using specimens with work-hardened surface layers polished off. Compared to a previous initiation study on specimens with work-hardened surface layers in a similar water environment, it was concluded that a work-hardened surface layer can greatly accelerate EAC initiation in high-temperature water. In addition, it was shown that slip bands produced by the applied tensile stress are not obviously sensitive to EAC. Possible EAC initiation mitigation methods were suggested.