The Application of Narrow-Gap Welding Process for SA 106 Gr.C in Nuclear Power Plant

원전 배관용 SA 106 Gr.C의 협개자동용접 적용에 관한 연구

Conventionally, SMAW process was applied to join pipes of RCL, which caused lot of loss in time and cost due to excessive heat input and defects in joining section. Recently, narrow-gap welding(NGW) process was introduced to overcome the disadvantages of SMAW. However, the application of NGW to nuclear power plant is not yet common because safety of NGW process is not proven. In present paper, the welded coupons are made of carbon steel. They are manufactured under different processes; general welding(GW), post-weld heat treatment(PWHT) after GW, repair welding after GW and PWHT with repair welding after GW in carbon steel. Performed are various mechanical tests investigation of microstructure, hardness test, tensile test at room and high temperature, bending test, impact test and J-R test. It is verified that the mechanical properties of carbon steel are greatly changed after repair welding process due to applied heat flux, and that the effect of PWHT is beneficial.