Stress corrosion cracking (SCC) of FeCrNi alloys and IASCC of stainless steels: evaluation using micro-mechanical testing techniques

核能是一种无碳能源，目前提供了安大略省60%的电力。虽然温室气体排放的减少是有希望的，但加拿大老化的核电站(NPP)提出了必须不断解决的安全和经济问题。最令人担忧的是核电厂部件的腐蚀和退化，这会导致加拿大公用事业公司代价高昂的被迫停电，在最糟糕的情况下，运营过程中的材料故障可能会对普通公众造成严重的安全影响。核电厂中的金属和合金要求在具有侵蚀性的环境中运行，这种环境因环境化学和辐射损伤等因素而变得复杂。为了确保加拿大核电厂在未来的安全可靠运行，必须了解核材料在这些环境中的行为。随着反应堆寿命接近60年，并希望延长到100年的寿命，加拿大的核设施对这项研究特别感兴趣。该计划旨在与加拿大的核设施合作，发展对辐照材料的机械性能的基本了解，并评估在微尺度、受影响的区域破裂的可能性。我们的新方法包括应用过去15年发展起来的原位微机械测试技术，在微观尺度上评估核材料的机械行为。这一创新研究得益于女王大学的综合腐蚀测试基础设施以及最先进的质子加速器和显微镜设施。选择材料和环境来模拟加拿大的核电厂条件。这种创新的方法特别适合研究具有高辐射场的核材料，并有助于加深我们对当前加拿大核电厂或延长寿命可能出现的材料问题的理解。此外，HQP将有许多机会与行业互动，研究实际问题，并发展多学科技能。

Nuclear power is a carbon-free energy source that currently provides 60% of the electrical power in Ontario. While the reduction in greenhouse gas emissions is promising, aging nuclear power plants (NPP) in Canada present safety and economic concerns that must be continuously addressed. Paramount to these concerns is the corrosion and degradation of NPP components, which result in costly forced outages for Canadian utilities and, in the worst case, material failure during operation can have severe safety implications for the general public. Metals and alloys in NPPs are required to operate in aggressive environments which are complicated by several variables, such as environment chemistry and irradiation damage. To ensure safe and reliable operation of Canadian NPPs well into the future, the behaviour of nuclear materials in these environments must be understood. Canadian nuclear utilities are particularly interested in this research as reactors approach 60 years, and with the desire for life extension up to 100 years.In partnership with Canadian nuclear utilities, this program aims to develop a fundamental understanding of the mechanical properties of irradiated materials, and evaluate the possibility of cracking at micro-scale, compromised regions. Our novel approach involves application of in-situ micro-mechanical testing techniques, developed in the past 15 years, to evaluate the mechanical behaviour of nuclear materials at the micro-scale. This innovative research is enabled by the combined corrosion testing infrastructure, and state-of-the-art proton accelerator and microscopy facilities available at Queen's University. Materials and environments are selected to simulate Canadian NPP conditions. This innovative approach is particularly well suited to studying nuclear materials with high radiation fields, and helps develop our understanding of materials issues that may arise in current Canadian NPPs or with life extension. Also, HQP will have many opportunities to interact with industry, research practical problems, and develop multi-disciplinary skills.