Effects of Environment on Cracking of Structural Materials in Nuclear Power Systems
Guest Speaker: Dr. Peter L. Andresen, Member of the U.S. National Academy of Engineering, GE Global Research Center，USA
Date & Time: 15:30-17:30, Mai. 19, 2025
Location: Yiucheng Lecture Hall （500），Xu Zuyao Building
Inviter: Assoc.Prof. Zhao Shen
Biography
Dr. Peter L. Andresen is a Member of the U.S. National Academy of Engineering, a principal scientist at GE Global Research Center, and a Thousand Talents Program Professor at Shanghai Jiao Tong University. He is an internationally recognized expert in corrosion and environmentally assisted cracking of structural materials, particularly iron- and nickel-based alloys used in the nuclear and energy industries. Dr. Andresen has authored over 430 scientific publications, holds 28 patents, and has delivered hundreds of invited lectures worldwide. He is a Fellow of both the American Society for Metals (ASM) and the National Association of Corrosion Engineers (NACE). His numerous honors include two Whitney Gallery of Achievers Awards and two Dushman Awards from GE, the Speller Award from NACE, and selection as one of Industry Week’s “50 Stars to Watch” in 1996. In 2011, he received the prestigious Lee Xun Award from the Institute of Metals Research in Shenyang, China. Currently, he continues to advance international collaboration and innovation in the field of nuclear materials corrosion and structural integrity.
This talk provides a comprehensive overview of environmentally assisted cracking (EAC) in structural materials used in nuclear power systems, with a focus on Fe- and Ni-based alloys exposed to high-temperature water. Drawing from decades of research and field experience, Dr. Andresen will discuss the fundamental mechanisms of stress corrosion cracking (SCC), its historical impact on reactor safety, and the limitations of traditional “immunity-based” design codes. The presentation highlights emerging issues such as cold work effects, irradiation-assisted SCC, and microstructural vulnerabilities, and emphasizes the need for advanced testing methods, realistic modeling, and interdisciplinary solutions. Attendees will gain insights into how small-scale degradation phenomena can lead to large-scale failures, and how to shift from reactive to proactive strategies in managing material reliability in nuclear environments.