Bum steel creates dangers at Palisades nuclear plant, Massachusetts congressman warns

[kristopher]

Bum steel creates dangers at Palisades nuclear plant, Massachusetts congressman warns

WASHINGTON, D.C. – A recent investigation by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission found that the failure of a water pump due to the corrosion of certain kinds of stainless steel components caused an August shutdown of the Palisades nuclear power plant in Covert.

In a news release from his office, Congressman Edward J. Markey, D-Mass., senior member of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, questioned why a substandard steel is still being used for certain plant components.

Here's what it says:
Despite scientific findings and industry experience reporting its vulnerability to cracks and corrosion, the types of stainless steel –known as 410SS and 416SS – continues to be used in water pumps used to provide cooling water to critical safety-related equipment such as component cooling water, diesel generators, and containment vessel air coolers for nuclear power plants throughout the U.S.

Markey sent a letter querying the NRC about the vulnerability of these metals to corrosion cracking and their continued use despite two decades of failures in nuclear power plants, according to the news release.

Here's more from the release:
...

http://www.mlive.com/news/kalamazoo/index.ssf/2011/12/bum_steel_creates_dangers_at_p.html

[RKP5637]

1. A reason I take a magnet when buying stainless steel sinks, etc. in big box stores. Many

are not fully stainless steel and a magnet test reveals that the magnet sticks to them, hence, crap quality stainless steel.

[izquierdista]

2. Or if it says "Made in China"

Don't even have to open the box and check.

[ensho]

3. my apt. has a stainless steel sink that is rusting

I've been here a long time but in the last several yrs. its started to rust.

a rusting sink is not the same as a rusting nuke plant!

[kristopher]

4. What is amazing is the lack of action by the NRC.

They are owned, lock, stock and barrel, by the industry they are supposed to be regulating,