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NACE Corrosion 2010
Conference & Expo
March 14-18, 2010
San Antonio, Texas
Zachary J. Schulz
Applications Engineer
Rolled Alloys
125 West Sterns Rd.
Temperance, MI 48182
Topic Selection: Corrosion in Nuclear Symposium
Super Austenitic Alloy N08367 Service Water Piping Review:
The recent spike in oil prices has spurred research for stable energy sources that do not rely on foreign suppliers. Nuclear energy has a renewed focus which requires a closer look at the materials of construction.
Various types of corrosion in nuclear service water piping systems have limited the use of general stainless steels. Due to the highly corrosive environments, general stainless steels are being replaced by super austenitic alloys with increased molybdenum content.
Examples, such as microbiologically induced corrosion (MIC), have caused failure of 304L stainless steel. Alloy N08367 has been a replacement for 304L stainless steel in main and auxiliary service water piping systems. The improved performance of this alloy has lead to use in intake screens, piping, and precipitators.
With the current search for more efficient and independent power plants, nuclear power plants have a push to improve the process and equipment on existing and new power plants. Globally, the push for alternative power requires better designed plants to withstand the ever increasing corrosive environments. This paper will describe current corrosion issues of general 300 series stainless steels in nuclear power plants. An in depth analysis shows how the use of 6% molybdenum alloys in various nuclear applications reduce maintenance costs, increase quality, and improve safety.
The conclusion of this paper and presentation is that 6% molybdenum alloys provide enough longevity in nuclear service applications to justify increased material and fabrication costs. This paper will show how this development in alloy selection has proved successful in previous nuclear systems as well as the next generation of nuclear reactors.