Stress corrosion cracking (SCC) of nickel alloys such as Alloy 600 and Alloy 182, 132 and 82
weld metals in high temperature water is important because these materials are widely used in
the pressurized water reactor (PWR) primary system. Based on plant experience, SCC will
continue to increase as plants age without effective mitigation. There is a significant peak in
crack growth rate vs. dissolved H2 for nickel alloy weld metals, and therefore mitigation is
possible by optimizing the dissolved H2 concentration. By comparison, there is little effect on
crack growth rate of boron and lithium levels.
Keywords: Stress corrosion cracking, Ni alloys, Ni Alloy weld metals, Alloy 600, water
chemistry, dissolved hydrogen, high temperature water