RD-EMMA-AMALIA – Dr. Agata Sotniczuk

Project: 2026-1-RD-EMMA-AMALIA

Title: Prediction of degradation phenomena in future (SCWR) and current (PWR) nuclear power plants: behaviour of modern HEA and classic 316L nuclear grade steel

Abstract: Progressing demand for energy enforces twofold development: (i) extension the lifetime and safety of currently exploited Pressurized Water Reactors (PWR) which requires further understanding of nuclear materials behaviour, (ii) moving closer GEN IV such as Supercritical Water-Cooled Reactors (SCWR) to the practical implementation which requires development and testing new materials. This project concerns both of these issues as it offers non-standard SCC testing of conventional 316L steel in PWR water as well as electrochemistry tests of novel high entropy alloy in SCW. Expected outcome can be summarized as follows: (i) to understand degradation phenomena in PWR and SCWR conditions, (ii) to contribute to EU standardization in the nuclear field by filling existing gaps in SCC data, (iii) to increase the knowledge related to corrosion behaviour of novel HEA alloys in SCW conditions, which can finally contribute to propose alloy modifications to maximize its corrosion resistance 

Keywords: Stress corrosion cracking, PWRs, SCWRs, in situ EIS, High entropy alloys



This project has received funding from the European Union Horizon 2020 research and innovation
programme under grant agreement No 857470 and from European Regional Development Fund
via Foundation for Polish Science International Research Agenda PLUS programme grant
No MAB PLUS/2018/8.
Poland
The project is co-financed from the state budget within the framework of the undertaking of the Minister of Science and Higher Education "Support for the activities of Centers of Excellence established under Horizon 2020".

Grant: 5 143 237,70 EUR
Total value: 29 971 365,00 EUR
Date of signing the funding agreement: December 2023

The purpose of the undertaking is to support entities of the higher education and science system that have received funding from the European Union budget in the competition H2020-WIDESPREAD-2018-2020/WIDESPREAD-01-2018-2019: Teaming Phase 2. in the preparation, implementation and updating of activities, maintenance of material resources necessary for carrying out activities, acquisition and modernization of scientific and research apparatus, maintenance and development of personnel potential necessary for the implementation of activities, and dissemination of the results of scientific activities.