Document: NUREG-0800
Document ID: 4a46b35d-2e81-4517-9716-154b19f57049
Document Type: srp
Title: REACTOR COOLANT PRESSURE BOUNDARY MATERIALS
Source: NUREG-0800
Source URL: https://www.nrc.gov/docs/ML0631/ML063190006.pdf
Revision Date: 2023-06
Chapter: 5
Section ID: 5.2.3
CFR Part: 
CFR Title: 

Content:
EF to 1500EF). Precipitation of the chromium carbide at the grain boundaries increases with increasing carbon content and exposure time. Control of the application and processing of stainless steel is needed to eliminate the occurrences of stress corrosion cracking in sensitized stainless steel components of nuclear reactors. Test data and service experience demonstrate that sensitized stainless steel is significantly more susceptible to stress corrosion cracking than nonsensitized (solution heat treated) stainless steel. The following areas are reviewed: requirements for solution heat treatment of stainless steel; plans to avoid partial or severe sensitization during welding, including information on welding methods, heat input, and interpass temperatures; and a description of the material inspection program that will be used to verify that unstabilized austenitic stainless steels are not susceptible in service to intergranular attack. Special provisions may apply to the use of austenitic stainless steel in BWR piping because plant operating experience indicates that reactor coolant boundary piping is susceptible to oxygen-assisted stress corrosion cracking. B. Contamination of austenitic stainless steel with halogens and halogen-bearing compounds (e.g., die lubricants, marking compounds, and masking tape) must be avoided to the maximum degree possible to avoid stress corrosion cracking. Plans for cleaning and protecting the material against contaminants capable of causing stress corrosion cracking during fabrication, shipment, storage, construction, testing, and operation of components and systems are reviewed. Controls for abrasive work (e.g., grinding) on austenitic stainless steel surfaces are also reviewed with respect to potential for material contamination and excessive surface cold-working. Any pickling used in processing austenitic stainless steel components and the restrictions placed on pickling sensitized materials are reviewed. The upper limit on the