A primary repair option of Light Water Reactors (LWR) components is welding. However, it is known that welding on steels that have been exposed to neutron irradiation [i.e. Reactor Pressure Vessels (RPV) in PWR and Reactor Internals in BWR] can result in Helium Induced Cracking (HeIC). Helium forms from neutron transmutation reactions of Boron (B) and Nickel (Ni) during operation of the plant.
In order to address this issue and establish verified methods for weld repair of irradiated RPV and Reactor Internals materials in Japanese power plants, an investigation denominated WIM (Welding of Irradiated Materials) Project was conducted; the WIM project was carried out between the years of 1997 and 2004 in an analytical conservative manner, correlating the results of weld repaired irradiated materials with the concentration of helium and the heat input used while welding. It was concluded that, under determined conditions, the irradiated materials were able to be successfully welded in accordance with the requirements established in both the JSME and ASME Code Cases. In the light of such discovery, the necessity of establishing and a new code case and revising the standard JSME Rules on Fitness-for-Service concerning the weld repair of irradiated RPV and Reactor Internals steels is currently under investigation.
