Failure analysis of a reducer section in the creep loop of INSOT facility. (February 2023)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Prasanthi, T.N.; Sudha, C.; Chandran, T.; Shanmughavel, M.; Ganesan, V.; Chandra Mouli, S.; Prasad Reddy, G.V.; Suresh Kumar, V.A.; Sreedhar, B.K.
• Is Part Of: Engineering failure analysis. Volume 144(2023)
• Publication Date: 2023-02
• Subjects: Sodium leak -- Alloy 600 -- Pitting -- Sensitization -- Intergranular corrosion; System failures (Engineering) -- Periodicals; Fracture mechanics -- Periodicals; Reliability (Engineering) -- Periodicals; Pannes -- Périodiques; Rupture, Mécanique de la -- Périodiques; Fiabilité -- Périodiques; Fracture mechanics; Reliability (Engineering); System failures (Engineering); Periodicals; Electronic journals; 620.112
• DOI: 10.1016/j.engfailanal.2022.106991
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1350-6307

Abstract

Highlights: Sodium leak was observed in a reducer component of the INSOT (in-sodium testing) facility. The reducer component was fabricated out of Ni based Alloy 600. Cracked and pinhole regions were identified as the sites for sodium leak in the reducer section. Pitting corrosion and IGSCC led to the failure of the reducer component. 304l/316l stainless steel reducers are recommended for service to avoid sensitization. Abstract: Sodium leak was observed in the inlet side of a creep testing chamber in an In-Sodium Testing (INSOT) facility for fast breeder reactor structural materials. The failure occurred during a test campaign after 183 h of operation of the loop at a temperature of 823 K. Based on He and liquid penetrant testing, locations of leaks were identified in a reducer section. Detailed metallurgical characterization of the failed reducer and comparison of the results with a reference specimen helped in identifying the sequence of failure based on which recommendations were made to avoid similar failures in the future.