Re-weldability of neutron irradiated Type 304 and 316L stainless steels

Weldability of irradiated stainless steel (SS) has been studied to develop the technical guideline regarding the repair-welding of reactor internals. Type 304 and 316L SSs were irradiated at ambient temperature in the US Advanced Test Reactor. The multi-pass bead-on-plate TIG (GTA) and YAG laser welding with heat input levels less than 1 MJ/m were performed on specimens containing helium up to 18 appm. In this paper, results of cross-sectional micrograph observations of the heat affected zone were considered in light of helium bubble properties. The tendency for weld crack formation of irradiated Type 316L SS was compared with that of irradiated Type 304 SS.