Key Emerging Issues and Recent Progress Related to Structural Materials
Degradation
(LCC14 AR)
During operation, the materials used for the construction of components react with light water reactor environment and cause component degradation, including cracking at welds and piping. Such degradation is due to irradiation, corrosion, fatigue, and other damage mechanisms, and has remained a severe operational challenge for utilities. Details on such degradation are regularly reported and published in scientific journals and at utility workshops and conferences. Foremost in the latter category are those organised since 1983 by NACE, TMS, ANS and CNS in the Environmental Degradation of Water Reactor Materials.
The Annual Report will contain highlights from the 18th International Conference on Environmental Degradation of Materials in Nuclear Power Systems Water Reactors, which was held in Portland, Oregon in August 2017. It will cover PWRs, VVERs, CANDUs and BWRs.
