A study has been made of the corrosion resistance of Inconel nickel-chromium alloy for applications in the primary coolant circuit of pressurized-water reactors. Tests were conducted in lithium hydroxide treated water (pH 10) under simulated static control-rod environmental conditions at 300 F, in the same water under bulk-coolant flow conditions at 550 F and in static ammoniated water (pH 9.5) at 550 F. Inconel alloy was coupled to itself and to a number of stainless steels, nickel-base alloys, and other materials. The corrosion behavior of Inconel alloy weld overlays on mild steel also was investigated. The results of 2000-hour tests have shown no acceleration of attack on any of the dissimilar metal alloys in the galvanic couples. Different heat treatments, cold reduction, or variation in alloy composition had no adverse effect on the excellent resistance of Inconel alloy. The weld metal overlays also proved to be satisfactorily resistant to the primary coolant waters in these tests.
6.3.10, 4.6.1, 8.4.5, 3.6.6
