ANS is committed to advancing, fostering, and promoting the development and application of nuclear sciences and technologies to benefit society.
Explore the many uses for nuclear science and its impact on energy, the environment, healthcare, food, and more.
Explore membership for yourself or for your organization.
Conference Spotlight
2026 ANS Annual Conference
May 31–June 3, 2026
Denver, CO|Sheraton Denver
Latest Magazine Issues
Mar 2026
Jan 2026
Latest Journal Issues
Nuclear Science and Engineering
April 2026
Nuclear Technology
February 2026
Fusion Science and Technology
Latest News
Swiss nuclear power and the case for long-term operation
Designed for 40 years but built to last far longer, Switzerland’s nuclear power plants have all entered long-term operation. Yet age alone says little about safety or performance. Through continuous upgrades, strict regulatory oversight, and extensive aging management, the country’s reactors are being prepared for decades of continued operation, in line with international practice.
D. T. Raske, C. F. Cheng
Nuclear Technology | Volume 34 | Number 1 | June 1977 | Pages 101-110
Technical Paper | Material | doi.org/10.13182/NT77-A31834
Articles are hosted by Taylor and Francis Online.
The fatigue crack-growth behavior of Type 304 stainless-steel base metal and Type 308 stainless-steel weld metal at elevated temperature was investigated using axially loaded single-edge-notch specimens. The crack-growth rates were determined and are presented as a function of the stress-intensity factor range. Both the base- and weld-metal specimens were tested in the as-received (or as-welded) and thermally aged condition. The results indicate that the crack-growth rates in the weld metal are significantly lower than in the base metal. In addition, aging at 593°C for 1000 h improved the resistance to fatigue crack growth in both the base and weld metals.