Fatigue Crack Growth Curve for Austenitic Stainless Steels in PWR Environment

Abstract

Reference fatigue crack growth rate curves for austenitic stainless steels in pressurized water reactors (PWR) environments were prescribed in JSME S NA1-2004(1) in Japan. The reference fatigue crack growth curve in PWR environment had been determined as a function of stress intensity factor range, temperature, load rising time and stress ratio. In order to confirm the applicability of the reference fatigue crack growth rate curve under high stress ratio, low rising time and low stress intensity range, fatigue crack propagation tests of austenitic stainless steels 316, 316 weld metal, 304 and 304 weld metal were carried out. It is concluded that the reference fatigue crack growth curve in PWR environment is applicable to predict fatigue crack growth rate of this study test conditions.