A prediction model of IASCC initiation stress for bolts in PWR core internals

A model of IASCC initiation stress for bolts of core internals in pressurized water reactors was developed considering differences in material property changes due to irradiation and material conditions. Assuming that IASCC initiation was controlled by grain boundary composition and yield strength, these values for each specimen of post-irradiation IASCC initiation tests were calculated by physical kinetic models considering dose rate, temperature, material composition and surface hardening. Then, correlations of grain boundary composition and yield strength with IASCC initiation stress were determined. The model predicted that the IASCC initiation stress became lower with dose and was lower for higher temperature, lower flux and higher surface hardening level.