ANALYSIS OF FAILED NUCLEAR-PLANT COMPONENTS

Argonne National Laboratory has conducted analyses of failed component s from nuclear power-generating stations since 1974. The consideration s involved in working with and analyzing radioactive components are re viewed here, and the decontamination of these components is discussed. Analyses of four failed components from nuclear plants are then descr ibed to illustrate the kinds of failures seen in service. The failures discussed are (1) intergranular stress-corrosion cracking of core spr ay injection piping in a boiling water reactor, (2) failure of canopy seal welds in adapter tube assemblies in the control rod drive head of a pressurized water reactor, (3) thermal fatigue of a recirculation p ump shaft in a boiling water reactor, and (4) failure of pump seal wea r rings by nickel leaching in a boiling water reactor.