Structural integrity challenges associated with long term operation of civil nuclear power plant

Issue title: Special Issue: Proceedings of a Special Symposium in the Honor of David M. R. Taplin

Guest editors: Ashok Saxena and Toshimitsu Yokobori Jr.

Article type: Research Article

Authors: Flewitt, P.E.J.^{a; b;} | Martinez-Ubeda, A.I.^b | Hallam, K.R.^b

Affiliations: [a] H.H. Wills Physics Laboratory, School of Physics, University of Bristol, Bristol BS8 1TL, UK | [b] Interface Analysis Centre, School of Physics, University of Bristol, Bristol BS8 1TL, UK

Correspondence: [*] Corresponding author: P.E.J. Flewitt. E-mail: [email protected]

Abstract: The UK is entering a new era for civil nuclear power which involves extending the operating life of existing plant, building new plant and designing plant for future fission reactors (Gen IV). The latter two will be required to operate for periods which present challenges for the present materials and methodologies. This paper reviews these potential challenges in the context of the current understanding of materials performance and existing assessment methodologies. In addition, it provides an example of an unexpected creep-related challenge arising from long term operation of Type 316H boiler tubes.

Keywords: Nuclear boilers, stainless steel, creep, impurity elements, precipitation service life

DOI: 10.3233/SFC-180227

Journal: Strength, Fracture and Complexity, vol. 11, no. 2-3, pp. 265-278, 2018