Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Failure Analysis of a Low-Temperature Carbon Steel Pipe from a Nuclear Power Station Cooling Water System

  • Technical Article---Peer-Reviewed
  • Published:
Journal of Failure Analysis and Prevention Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

This paper presents the results of a failure examination on an ASTM A106 carbon steel pipe from component cooling water system at a nuclear power station. The pipe was associated with a large motor air cooler. Through-wall cracking occurred after over three decades of total service and approximately one decade following a refurbishment. The pipe was filled with demineralized water and operated at a temperature <40 °C. Sections of the failed pipe along with a similar non-leaking section were examined with light optical microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, energy dispersive spectroscopy, mass spectrometry, a gas analyzing furnace, and a microhardness indenter to provide data about the failure mechanism and the base material. The results of the study showed that the failure was the result of outside diameter initiated, intergranular stress corrosion cracking. The failure occurred in the vicinity of a weld in the heat-affected zone (HAZ) of the pipe. Other areas of non-through-wall cracking were also observed in the pipes outside of the HAZ.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5
Fig. 6
Fig. 7

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. J. Lee, S. Han, K. Kim, H. Kim, U. Lee, Failure analysis of carbon steel pipes used for underground condensate pipeline in the power station. Eng. Fail. Anal. 34, 300–307 (2013)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  2. S. Srikanth, K. Gopalakrishna, S. Das, B. Ravikumar, Phosphate induced stress corrosion cracking in a waterwall tube from a coal fired boiler. Eng. Fail. Anal. 10, 491–501 (2003)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  3. P. Muthuswami, Corrosion in steam systems. Steam Fuel Users J. 32, 9–11 (1982)

    Google Scholar 

  4. M. Kowaka, K. Yamanaka, S. Nagata, Y. Fujii, Stress corrosion cracking of carbon steel for hot blast stoves. Iron Steel Eng. 57(5), 25–30 (1980)

    Google Scholar 

  5. M.S. de Santa Maria, J. Verdeja, J. Perosanz, Failure analysis of low-carbon steel structure: a stress-corrosion problem. Microstruct. Sci. 9, 399–405 (1987)

    Google Scholar 

  6. M. Wright, Stress corrosion-cracking of carbon and low-alloy steels in nuclear power plant pressure vessels and piping, assessment methodologies for preventing failure: 2000, in ASME Pressure Vessels and Piping Conference, Vol 2, 2000, pp. 147–162

  7. J. Bulloch, Deaertor feedwater storage vessel weldment cracking: some fractographic and crack extension details. Int. J. Press. Vessels Pip. 68, 81–97 (1996)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  8. G. Nakayama, M. Akashi, Effects of test temperature and hardness of material on the intergranular stress-corrosion cracking behavior of carbon steel in simulated BWR environment, environmental degradation of materials in nuclear power systems—water reactors, in Proceedings of the International Symposium, 8th, 1997, pp. 947–951

  9. J. Slade, T. Gendron, Flow accelerated corrosion and cracking of carbon steel piping in primary water—operating experience at the point Lepreau generating station, environmental degradation of materials in nuclear power systems—water reactors, in Proceedings of the International Symposium, 12th, 2005, pp. 773–782

  10. O. Jonas, J. Mancini, A. McGehee, SCC of carbon steel in nuclear component cooling water systems—Part 1. Mater. Perform. 44(6), 52–56 (2005)

    Google Scholar 

  11. ASTM, Standard Specifications for Seamless Carbon Steel Pipe for High-Temperature Service, A 106-67, Annual Book of ASTM Standards (ASTM), pp. 29–39

  12. E. Hondros, C. Lea, Grain boundary microchemistry and stress-corrosion failure of mild steel. Nature 289, 663–665 (1981)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  13. H. Boyer, T. Gall (eds.) ASM Metals Handbook (ASM, Metals Park, 1985), pp. 1–60

  14. A. Ikeda, Strength and environmental embrittlement of carbon steel. Sumitomo Search 48, 59–78 (1992)

    Google Scholar 

  15. P.C. Conor, Crack closure and stress corrosion fracture thresholds in mild steel. Corrosion 43(10), 614–621 (1987)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  16. Z. Szklarska-Smialowska, R.B. Rebak, P. Skulte, Susceptibility of low-alloy carbon steel to pitting and stress corrosion cracking in steam generator conditions. Corrosion 50(4), 279–289 (1994)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  17. D. Yang, P. Singh, R. Neu, Initiation and propagation of stress-assisted corrosion (SAC) cracks in carbon steel boiler tubes. J. Eng. Mater. Technol. 129, 559–566 (2007)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  18. B. Choi, A. Chudnovsky, Understanding and Modelling Stress Corrosion Cracking (SCC). Key Eng. Mater. 452–453, 801–804 (2011)

    Google Scholar 

  19. W. Bamford, G. Rao, J Houtman, Investigation of service induced degradation of steam generator shell materials, environmental degradation of materials in nuclear power systems—water reactors, in Proceedings of the 5th International Symposium, 1991, pp. 588–595

Download references

Acknowledgments

The author is grateful for the support of the following individuals who supported this investigation: R. Rees, D. Love, C. McGuire, A. Sutton, and B. Lisowyj.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Westinghouse Electric Company - Materials Center of Excellence, 1332 Beulah Road, Pittsburgh, PA, 15235, USA

    Andrew Ruminski

Authors
  1. Andrew Ruminski
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Andrew Ruminski.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Ruminski, A. Failure Analysis of a Low-Temperature Carbon Steel Pipe from a Nuclear Power Station Cooling Water System. J Fail. Anal. and Preven. 15, 534–540 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11668-015-9974-z

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11668-015-9974-z

Keywords

Search

Navigation