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Reactor Pressure Boundary Integrity Issues for Pressurized Water Reactors
Several instances of primary water stress corrosion cracking (PWSCC) of nickel based alloys have been reported in the reactor pressure boundaries of pressurized water reactors (PWRs). The NRC is investigating the effect of PWSCC on the structural integrity of reactor pressure boundaries at all U.S. PWRs. NRC regulatory actions for Reactor Pressure Vessel (RPV) Upper Head, RPV Bottom Head, the Pressurizer, Reactor Coolant Systems Welds, and Overview are provided in the links below:

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Page Last Reviewed/Updated Tuesday, September 08, 2026
Page Last Reviewed/Updated Tuesday, September 08, 2026