The paper provides an overview of stress corrosion cracking (SCC) in BWR and PWR components. SCC problems have resulted in significant losses in capacity factors of LWRs. In response the industry has initiated cooperative research programs involving utilities, vendors and EPRI to develop cost effective solutions. These efforts have resulted in development of improved inspection and evaluation methods, remedies to mitigate SCC and technology for component repair and replacements.
The paper summarizes the current efforts to address SCC in BWR and PWR internals and SCC in Alloy 600/182 reactor vessel head penetrations in PWRs.
Keywords: environmentally assisted cracking, stress corrosion cracking, stainless steel, Alloy 600, BWR, PWR.