Because of the complexity of stress corrosion cracking (SCC) and uncertainties in plant inspection data, prediction of plant component behavior often relies heavily on laboratory observations. The spectrum of experimental issues that can strongly affect laboratory crack growth data and the interpretation of iso-parametric laboratory data for the complex service conditions that involve crack-depth-based and time-based changes are addressed. Examples of successes in employing prediction models to cracking of LWR component are also described.
Keywords: stress corrosion cracking, prediction, modeling, high temperature water, stainless steel, nickel alloys