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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:

Graphic of Reactor Pressure Boundary IntegrityPressurizer Issues RPV Upper Head Issues RPV Bottom Head Issues Reactor Coolant System Weld Issues Overview of Reactor Pressure Boundary Integrity Issues

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Page Last Reviewed/Updated Tuesday, September 08, 2026

Page Last Reviewed/Updated Tuesday, September 08, 2026