Study on the corrosion assessment of overpack welds, 3 (Joint research)

Mitsui, Hiroyuki*; Takahashi, Rieko*; Taniguchi, Naoki ; Otsuki, Akiyoshi*; Asano, Hidekazu*; Yui, Mikazu

There is some possibility that the corrosion resistance of overpack welds is different from that of base metal due to the differences of material properties. In this study, corrosion behavior of welded joint for carbon steel was compared with base metal using the specimens taken from welded joint model fabricated by TIG, MAG and EBW respectively. The corrosion tests were performed for following four items. (1) Passivation behavior and corrosion type, (2) Propagation of general corrosion, pitting corrosion and crevice corrosion under aerobic condition, (3) Stress corrosion cracking susceptibility, (4) Propagation of general corrosion and hydrogen embrittlement under anaerobic condition. The results of these corrosion tests indicated that the corrosion resistance of welded metal by TIG and MAG was inferior to base metal for general corrosion, pitting corrosion and crevice corrosion. It was implied that the filler materials used for welding affected the corrosion resistance. No deterioration of corrosion resistance was observed in any corrosion modes for EBW, which does not need filler material. The susceptibility to stress corrosion cracking of welded metal and heat affected zone was lower than that of base metal.