Environment-assisted cracking in austenitic components

Stress corrosion cracking and corrosion fatigue have been responsible for some costly generic material failures in water cooled power reactors. This paper reviews the main features of two of the most widespread problems, namely intergranular stress corrosion cracking of sensitized stainless steel piping in boiling water reactors (BWR) and of nickel alloy steam generator tubes in pressurized water reactors (PWR). Mechanisms, in so far as they are known, are described together with remedial measures and crack growth models applicable to in-plant components.