Report of Examination of the Sample from Core Shroud (O1-H2) at Onagawa Nuclear Power Station Unit-1 (Contract research)

The Working Team for Examination of the Sample from Core Shrouds and Primary Loop Recirculation Pipi

At Onagawa Nuclear Power Station Unit-1 of the Tohoku Electric Power co., inc., cracks were confirmed near welded joints of core shroud in 15th periodical inspection. Tohoku Electric Power co., inc. has conducted a material examination with Nippon Nuclear Fuel Development Co., Ltd.. To investigate independently, a JAERI's own evaluation report was provided. The results are as follows; (1) Hardening layer was detected at the depth of about 150-250m from outer surface of the sample. (2) Corrosion products were observed on inner surface of the cracks and some of them penetrated into grains. (3) Transgranular cracking and intergranular cracking were observed at the region within about 100m and the deeper region more than about 200m in depth from outer surface of the sample, respectively. (4) Distinct chromium depletion was not detected at the grain boundaries. (5) Chemical compositions of the sample corresponded to type 304L stainless steel in Japanese Industrial Standard. From the above, it is concluded that the cracks are stress corrosion cracking.