Post-Service Examination of PWR Baffle Bolts, Part I. Examination and Test Plan

Microstructure and in-service degradation of baffle former bolts – in-core components of light water reactors

“…Table 1 provides information on the range of fluences and estimated displacement damage along the lengths of the two bolts [1,4]. The displacement damage values for the two bolts range from 15 to 41 dpa, assuming a fluence-to-displacements per atom (dpa) conversion value of 6.7 × 10 20 n/cm 2 , E > 1 MeV/dpa [6].…”

“…Two high-fluence BFBs were successfully harvested from a Westinghouse PWR in 2016 and received at the Westinghouse facility for specimen fabrication. The manufactured specimens (thin plates) were delivered to ORNL, where fracture mechanics testing [1,2], advanced microstructure analysis [3,4], and pilot in situ mechanical tests [5] were performed.…”

Fracture Toughness and Fatigue Crack Growth Rate Testing of Baffle-Former Bolts Harvested from a Westinghouse Two-Loop Downflow Type PWR

“…Figure 2.2 Machining diagram for the BFBs showing the color-coded sample types (red: 0.5 mm slices, black: 1.0 mm slices, light orange: bend bars, and light blue: remaining collar materials)[7] …”

Post-Irradiation Examination of High Fluence Baffle-Former Bolts Retrieved from a Westinghouse Two-Loop Downflow Type PWR

“…Machining diagram for the BFBs showing the color-coded sample types (red: 0.5 mm slices, black: 1.0 mm slices, light orange: bend bars, and light blue: remaining collar materials)[5] …”