Papers by Author: Yong Wan Kim

Abstract: This study aimed to assess creep crack growth rates on the base and welded metals of modified 9Cr-1Mo steel. For this purpose, welded specimens were prepared by the Shielded Metal Arc Weld method. To obtain mechanical properties concerning the base and welded metals, a series of creep and tensile tests were conducted at 600 °C, and creep crack growth tests were also performed under different applied loads using 1/2" compact tension specimens at 600 °C. Their creep crack growth rates were calculated using the empirical equation of the da/dt vs. C* parameter and compared. It appeared that, for a given value of C*, the rate of creep crack propagation was about 2.0 times faster in the welded metal than the base metal. This reason was that the welded metal was faster in the creep strain rate than the base metal.

Abstract: In this paper, a series of statistical studies were conducted on creep crack growth behavior of Grade 9Cr-1Mo steel for next generation reactor. Creep crack growth tests were performed on pre-cracked compact tension (CT) specimens under the applied load ranges from 3800 to 5000N at the identical temperature condition of 600oC. The creep crack growth behavior has been analyzed statistically using the empirical equation between crack growth rate da/dt and C* parameter, namely da/dt=B(C*)q. First, the determination methods of B and q obtained from experiments were investigated by the least square fitting method and the mean value method. The probability distribution functions of B and q have been investigated using the normal, log-normal and Weibull distribution. The constant B and q are followed well 2-parameter Weibull. Second, the creep crack growth rate data were generated by Monte-Carlo simulation method assuming the 2-parameter Weibull in B and q parameters. The probability distribution of creep crack growth rate for arbitrary C* parameter values seems to follow well Weibull distribution.

Abstract: Creep behavior for Alloy 617, which is considered as one of the major structural materials of a very high temperature reactor, was investigated in air at 950oC. Creep experimental data was obtained by a series of creep tests with different stress levels at 950oC. Alloy 617 revealed little primary creep strains and unclear secondary creep stages. A tertiary creep stage was initiated from a low strain level and was dominant in full creep curves. The creep constants of A, n, m, and C in Norton’s power law and Monkman-Grant relationships were determined. In microstructure observations of crept specimens, it was found that a Cr2O3 oxidation layer was formed on the surface, and just beneath the Cr2O3 layer, an internal Al-oxide sub layer was formed with rod shapes. Also, below the internal sub layer, a thick carbide-depleted zone was developed due to reaction of the chromia and carbide precipitates. The thickness of the outer Cr-oxide layer increased with increasing creep rupture times. The increasing tendency showed a smooth slope like a parabolic curve.

Abstract: An isochronous stress-strain curve (ISSC) needs to be generated for a creep design application for high-temperature materials. To generate the ISSC for type 316LN stainless steel (SS), a series of creep data, which was obtained from creep tests with different stress levels at 600oC, was used. Creep curves were modeled by means of a nonlinear least square fitting (NLSF) of the Garofalo model. In the fitting of the creep curve, a secondary creep region was separated into first and second phases, and its fitting range was suitable to use for the first phase. The Garofalo model revealed a good agreement with the experimental creep data, and its parameters, P1, P2 and P3 revealed a good linear relationship as a function of a stress. The ISSCs for type 316LN SS at 600oC were successfully generated up to 300,000 hours.

Abstract: This study aimed to model the long-term creep curves above 105 hours by implementing a nonlinear least square fitting (NLSF) of the Kachanov-Rabotnov (K-R) model. For this purpose, the short-term creep curves obtained from a series of creep tests at 950oC were used. In the NLSF of their full creep curves, the K-R model represented a poor match to the experimental curves, but the modified K-R one revealed a good agreement to them. The Monkman-Grant (M-G) strain represented the behavior of a stress dependency, but the 􀁏 parameter was constant with a stress independency. The 􀁏 value in the modified K-R model was 2.78. Long-term creep curves above 105 hours from short-term creep data were modeled by the modified K-R model.

Abstract: A spacer grid assembly, which is an interconnected array of slotted grid straps welded at the intersections to form an egg crate structure, is one of the core structural components for the nuclear fuel assemblies of a Pressurized light Water Reactor (PWR). The commercial spacer grid assembly is spot-welded at the crossing points of the intersections by a TIG welding, LASER beam welding or Electron beam welding method. In this study, a LASER beam welding apparatus and a method for an inner strap welding has been proposed to obtain a longer and finer weld line and a smaller weld bead size for a spacer grid assembly for a PWR fuel assembly. Also a rapid welding and excellent weld quality have been achieved by the proposed welding apparatus and method.

Abstract: Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute (KAERI) is in the process of carrying out a Nuclear Hydrogen Development and Demonstration (NHDD) Program by considering the indirect cycle gas cooled reactors that produce heat at temperatures in the order of 950°C. A coaxial doubletube hot gas duct (HGD) is a key component connecting the reactor pressure vessel and the intermediate heat exchanger (IHX) for the NHDD program. Recently, a preliminary design evaluation for the hot gas duct of the NHDD program was carried out. These preliminary design activities include a preliminary decision on the geometric dimensions, a preliminary strength evaluation, an appropriate material selection, and identifying the design code for the HGD. In this study, a preliminary strength evaluation for the HGD of the NHDD program has been undertaken based on the HTR-10 design concepts. Also, a preliminary evaluation of the creep-fatigue damage for a high temperature HGD structure has been carried out according to the draft code case for Alloy 617. Preliminary strength evaluation results for the HGD showed that the geometric dimensions of the proposed HGD would be acceptable for the design requirements.

Abstract: To design HTGR components for up to 1000oC, their creep curves are necessary during a design process. In this study, the full creep curves were modeled by the nonlinear least square fitting method using the Kachanov-Rabotnov (K-R) creep model. A series of creep data was obtained experimentally under various stress levels for Hastelloy-X at 950oC, and the data was used to model the creep curves. The K-R model gave a poor description of modeling creep curves, but the modified K-R one, which has another variable, K in the K-R model, was in better agreement than the K-R one. It was found that the λ parameter in the K-R model was constant regardless of the stress variations. The λ value was about 3.9 for the K-R model and about 5.8 for the modified one.