Applications of underwater laser welding in nuclear power plant maintenance

Nuclear power as an efficient, clean, safe and economical energy, is the inevitable choice for the future development of electric power. Nuclear power plants will have fatigue cracks and stress corrosion crack which need of welding repair after long-term running. To reduce the hazards of nuclear radiation on the welding operator and surrounding environment, underwater welding repair must be carried out. Because laser welding has the advantages of low heat input, easy to long distance transmission and the miniaturization of devices, making it becomes one of important means among the nuclear underwater welding repair. In this paper, application of underwater laser welding technology in the nuclear power plants maintenance are summarized.