Material properties of non-irradiated zircaloy 4 in support of ASME code acceptance for pressure vessel design

R. K. Nanstad, W. L. Server, B. Kombaiah, J. W. Geringer

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contributionpeer-review

1 Scopus citations

Abstract

A program underway at Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) to support private industry design of a system for production of 99Mo includes review of Zircaloy-4 (Zry-4) properties as a potential material for a primary vessel in the system. Because Zry-4 is not a material specified in the ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code, a review has been performed to obtain the necessary data in the non-irradiated condition from the literature and from additional testing of Zry-4 to enable creation of tables of material properties required for ASME Code Section III Article ND-3000 design. A strategy for an in-vessel surveillance program is also recommended for early detection of potential corrosion and irradiation degradation issues during operational life of the vessel. Additionally, the ASME Code Section II, Part D was reviewed to ascertain the requirements for proposing a new material for Code approval. A plate of Zry-4 procured by ORNL was used to obtain tensile properties that were used as the basis for determining the maximum allowable stresses applicable to the vessel design. The materials properties of primary interest for ASME Code application are tensile properties, fracture toughness, fatigue, and five specific physical properties required by the Code for approval of a new material. The literature review revealed that all reported experimental data showed tensile strengths to substantially exceed the minimum specifications in ASTM B352. Sufficient fracture toughness and fatigue data are available to conclude that Zry-4 has sufficient fracture and fatigue resistance in the unirradiated condition for vessel design and operation. Of the physical properties reviewed, only thermal conductivity revealed a discrepancy that is recommended for further review. A surveillance program plan has been developed that is probably the maximum that would need to be implemented for the specific vessel design considered. Once adequate non-irradiated and irradiated data are available from preproduction testing of the Zry-4 and weld metal and HAZ materials, the program could be reduced to reflect that either initial properties are very good and/or the effects of embrittlement appear to be minimal. However, the overall design of a surveillance program is, of course, also dependent on the ASME Code design class for the pressure vessel.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationMaterials and Fabrication
PublisherAmerican Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME)
ISBN (Electronic)9780791858981
DOIs
StatePublished - 2019
EventASME 2019 Pressure Vessels and Piping Conference, PVP 2019 - San Antonio, United States
Duration: Jul 14 2019Jul 19 2019

Publication series

NameAmerican Society of Mechanical Engineers, Pressure Vessels and Piping Division (Publication) PVP
Volume6B-2019
ISSN (Print)0277-027X

Conference

ConferenceASME 2019 Pressure Vessels and Piping Conference, PVP 2019
Country/TerritoryUnited States
CitySan Antonio
Period07/14/1907/19/19

Funding

Support for this research was provided by the US Department of Energy’s National Nuclear Security Administration (DOE/NNSA), Office of Material Management and Minimization’s Molybdenum-99 program. The authors extend their appreciation to Mr. Chris Bryan for programmatic support, to Dr. Stanislav Golubov for contributions to the literature review, and to Dr. Chinthaka Silva for technical review of the original full ORNL report. Support for this research was provided by the US Department of Energy's National Nuclear Security Administration (DOE/NNSA), Office of Material Management and Minimization's Molybdenum-99 program. The authors extend their appreciation to Mr. Chris Bryan for programmatic support, to Dr. Stanislav Golubov for contributions to the literature review, and to Dr. Chinthaka Silva for technical review of the original full ORNL report.

Keywords

  • ASME Code
  • Allowable stress
  • Delayed hydride cracking
  • Fatigue
  • Fracture toughness
  • Mo
  • Physical properties
  • Surveillance
  • Tensile
  • Unirradiated
  • Vessel
  • Zircaloy-4

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Material properties of non-irradiated zircaloy 4 in support of ASME code acceptance for pressure vessel design'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this