EPSRC Reference: |
GR/M98494/01 |
Title: |
ESR21:LIFE PREDICTION FOR STAINLESS STEELS IN ALKALINE WATER |
Principal Investigator: |
Newman, Dr R |
Other Investigators: |
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Researcher Co-Investigators: |
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Project Partners: |
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Department: |
Corrosion and Protection Centre |
Organisation: |
UMIST |
Scheme: |
Standard Research (Pre-FEC) |
Starts: |
17 January 2000 |
Ends: |
16 January 2003 |
Value (£): |
166,624
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EPSRC Research Topic Classifications: |
Energy - Nuclear |
Materials testing & eng. |
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EPSRC Industrial Sector Classifications: |
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Related Grants: |
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Panel History: |
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Summary on Grant Application Form |
Stress corrosion cracking (SCC) is an ever-present concern in power generation. Often the environment is ill-defined, since there may be surface deposits, local boiling, and concentration of solutes that can be acid or alkaline depending on the impurities present in the water. In order to predict component lifetimes and failure probabilities, more needs to be known about these local environments and their corrosivity. AGR superheater tubes can contain liquid water, and are known to be subject to a risk of SCC if the boiling zone is acidic, but for alkaline environments data are sparse and scientific understanding is lacking. Limited laboratory data suggest that crack initiation is extremely slow, but cracks may be able to propagate rapidly. Two kinds of pressurised test system will be constructed to examine this problem: a conventional autoclave with remote monitoring of crack extension, and a simple tube specimen that can be heated in an oven and stressed from the outside. Having determined crack behaviour in a range of alkaline environments, the microscopic processes associated with crack initiation will be determined at high resolution. The data will be used as input to a life prediction (safety case) model.
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Key Findings |
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Potential use in non-academic contexts |
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Impacts |
Description |
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Summary |
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Date Materialised |
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Sectors submitted by the Researcher |
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Project URL: |
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Further Information: |
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Organisation Website: |
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