As soldas dissimilares (dissimilar metal welds - DMWs) são utilizadas em diversos segmentos da indústria. No caso específico de usinas nucleares, tais soldas são necessárias para conectar tubulações de aço inoxidável com componentes fabricados em aços baixa liga. Os materiais de adição mais utilizados neste tipo de solda são as ligas de níquel 82 e 182. Este trabalho consistiu na soldagem de uma junta dissimilar de aço baixa liga ASTM A-508 G3 e aço inoxidável austenítico AISI 316L utilizando as ligas de níquel 82 e 182 como metais de adição. A soldagem foi realizada manualmente empregando os processos de soldagem ao arco SMAW (Shielded Metal Arc Welding) e GTAW (Gas Tungsten Arc Welding). Os corpos de prova foram caracterizados microestruturalmente utilizando-se microscópio óptico e microscópio eletrônico de varredura com microanálise por dispersão de energia de raios X (EDS) e ensaios de microdureza Vickers. Observou-se uma microestrutura constituída de dendritas de austenita com a presença de precipitados com formas e dimensões definidas pelo aporte térmico e pela direção de soldagem. Não houve variação significativa da dureza ao longo da junta soldada, demonstrando a adequação dos parâmetros de soldagem utilizados.

The dissimilar metal welds (DMWs) are used in several areas of the industries. In the nuclear power plant, this weld using nickel alloy welding wires is used to connect stainless steel pipes to low alloy steel components on the reactor pressured vessels. The filler materials commonly used in this type of weld are nickel alloys 82 and 182.. In this study, dissimilar metal welds composed of low alloy steel ASTM A-508 G3, nickel alloys 82 e 182 as weld metals, and austenitic stainless steel AISI 316L were prepared by manual shielded metal arc welding (SMAW) and gas tungsten arc welding techniques (GTAW). Samples were microstructural characterized by optical microscopy and scanning electron microscopy using energy dispersive X ray microanalysis (EDS). It was noticed that there was a microstructure consisting of austenite dendrites with the presence of precipitates with shapes and dimensions set by the thermal contribution and direction of welding. There was no significant variation of hardness along the weld joint, demonstrating the suitability of the welding parameters used.

Aços carbono de baixa liga e aços inoxidáveis são amplamente utilizados nos circuitos primários de reatores nucleares do tipo PWR (Pressurized Water Reactor). Ligas de níquel são empregadas na soldagem destes materiais devido a características como elevadas resistências mecânica e à corrosão, coeficiente de expansão térmica adequado, etc. Nos últimos 30 anos, a corrosão sob tensão (CST) tem sido observada principalmente nas regiões das soldas entre materiais dissimilares existentes nestes reatores. Este trabalho teve como objetivo avaliar, por comparação, a suscetibilidade à corrosão sob tensão da zona afetada pelo calor (ZAC) do aço inoxidável austenítico AISI 316L quando submetida a um ambiente similar ao do circuito primário de um reator nuclear PWR nas temperaturas de 303ºC e 325ºC. Para esta avaliação empregou-se o ensaio de taxa de deformação lenta - SSRT (Slow Strain Rate Test). Os resultados indicaram que a CST é ativada termicamente e que a 325ºC pode-se observar a presença mais significativa de fratura frágil decorrente do processo de corrosão sob tensão.

In pressurized water reactors (PWRs), low alloy carbon steels and stainless steel are widely used in the primary water circuits. In most cases, Ni alloys are used to joint these materials and form dissimilar welds. These alloys are known to accommodate the differences in composition and thermal expansion of the two materials. Stress corrosion cracking of metals and alloys is caused by synergistic effects of environment, material condition and stress. Over the last thirty years, CST has been observed in dissimilar metal welds. This study presents a comparative work between the CST in the HAZ (Heat Affected Zone) of the AISI 316L in two different temperatures (303ºC and 325ºC). The susceptibility to stress corrosion cracking was assessed using the slow strain rate tensile (SSRT) test. The results of the SSRT tests indicated that CST is a thermally-activated mechanism and that brittle fracture caused by the corrosion process was observed at 325ºC.

This paper describes the separation of CO2 from a gas mixture containing 25% CO2, 4% O2 and 71% N2 using the pressure swing adsorption (PSA) technique. The adsorbent selected was the zeolite 13X due to its great adsorption capacity for CO2 and selectivity towards the other components of the gas mixture. The experimental technique was designed to identify the most important variables for the process and to optimize it. It is shown that the PSA technique can be used to separate CO2 from O2 and N2 to obtain an effluent containing 2% CO2 with 99% separation efficiency.

This paper describes an experimental design technique, known as variables search, developed to expose the critical variables and screen out the irrelevant ones. It is easy to learn and use and clearly dissociates the main and interactions effects from each other. An example of air separation process by pressure swing adsorption was used to demonstrate how the variables search technique works. The phases of identification of the critical variables is shown, step by step,.