THE DEVELOPMENT OF STRUCTURAL INTEGRITY CRITERIA FOR AUSTENITIC COMPONENTS

The high ductility and resistance to tearing of austenitic stainless s teels, allied to the geometry and loading conditions of the European f ast reactor (EFR), result in the prediction of large critical through- thickness crack sizes for EFR components. Based on this understanding of large critical crack sizes, simplified methods have been developed for the assessment of the leak-before-break behaviour of these compone nts. The methods described avoid the need for detailed analysis of cra ck shape development during cyclic loading, and thus greatly reduce th e calculational requirements compared with more common methods used fo r the assessment of known or postulated defects in high energy pressur ised components. Simplifications used in the assessment of leak-tightn ess in EFR components are also identified.