Characterisation of the microstructural evolution in welded austenitic stainless steels during accelerated ageing for use in the nuclear power plant industry

This thesis studiesthe microstructural evolution of welded austenitic stainless steels that are commonly used in power plant applications. This work has been funded by EDF Energy and will be used to aid with the plant life extension work for the Advanced Gas Cooled Reactor nuclear power plants currently operating in the UK. Extending the life of power plantsputs demands on the steel pipe work,asthe steels could be exposed to high temperatures for many years past their originally planned decommissioning date. This could cause changes inmicrostructure whichmay result in worsening of mechanical propertiesThe plant life extension will help to meet the rising demand for energy in the UK, but the effect on materials must be understood in order to achieve this. [Continues.]