Application of Leak-Before-Break concept in 316LN austenitic steel pipes welded using 316L

The paper presents a study of the application of Leak-Before- Break (LBB) concept in a relatively small-diameter high energy reactor coolant line, where it is proposed type AISI 316LN to be used as base material welded with type AISI 316L coated electrode considering a pipe with diameter of 273 mm. The pipe material was characterized in terms of tensile test with Ramberg-Osgood analyses and fracture toughness tests with J-Resistance curve determination, considering base material, weld joint and heat affected zones. For the mechanical properties found in tensile tests and using the PICEP software, were determined the leak rate curves versus crack sizes, to determine the size of a detectable leakage crack, and the critical crack sizes, considering failure by plastic collapse. For the critical crack sizes found in weld, which presented the lowest toughness, J-Integral analysis was performed considering failure by tearing instability. Results show a well-defined mechanical behavior where base material has a high toughness, weld has a low toughness, and HAZ showed intermediate properties. For the load limit analysis, the lowest critical crack size was found for base material presenting circumferential cracks. For J- Integral analysis, it was demonstrated that failure by tearing instability will not occur.