Fatigue crack growth properties of the low alloy pressure vessel steels types SA508 and SA533, with low (0.006%), to high (0.025%), sulfur contents were determined in simulated light water reactor (LWR) environments at 288°C over a range of ΔK levels, R ratios, loading frequencies, and water chemistries. Crack growth rates (da/dN) were measured by a computer-controlled constant ΔK test method which permitted measurements to be made with a high degree of confidence over long intervals of crack extension under steady state loading conditions at the crack tip.

Results of this study showed that the sulfur content of the steels studied appears to have a substantial effect on the fatigue crack growth rate in a simulated 288°C LWR environment. Fatigue crack growth rates (da/dN) measured in the high sulfur materials are a strong function of loading frequency. The loading frequency at which the highest crack growth rate was observed is a function of the applied ΔK level.

Subject
Sulfur, Pressure vessels, Crack growth, Water, Materials, Boiling water reactors, Aqueous environments, Inspection, Fatigue crack growth rate, Stress cracking, Flaws, Environments, Fatigue
© 1984 Association for Materials Protection and Performance (AMPP). All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means (electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise) without the prior written permission of AMPP. Positions and opinions advanced in this work are those of the author(s) and not necessarily those of AMPP. Responsibility for the content of the work lies solely with the author(s).
1984
Association for Materials Protection and Performance (AMPP)
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