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Grain Boundary Phosphorus Segregation Under Irradiation and Thermal Aging and Its Effect on the Ductile-to-Brittle Transition

Song, S
Research Associate and Professor,IPTME, Loughborough University,Leics,

Faulkner, RG
Research Associate and Professor,IPTME, Loughborough University,Leics,

Flewitt, PEJ
Manager of Structural Integrity,BNFL Magnox Generation, Berkeley Center,Glos,


Pages: 15    Published: Jan 2001


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Source: STP1405-EB


Abstract

Embrittlement of low-alloy steel components used in the nuclear power industry is classified into hardening embrittlement and non-hardening embrittlement. Hardening embrittlement stems from precipitation of carbides or copper-rich compounds. Non-hardening embrittlement results mainly from grain boundary segregation of phosphorus. To examine the non-hardening embrittlement in 2.25Cr 1Mo steel, phosphorus intergranular segregation in samples subjected to neutron irradiation and thermal aging at 270°C and 400°C is determined by modelling and transmission electron microscopy. The ductile-to-brittle transition temperature for the steel is determined by means of small punch testing with 3 mm diameter disc specimens. It is indicated that there is a reasonable agreement between the behavior of intergranular phosphorus segregation and shifts in the ductile-to-brittle transition temperature. Measured and predicted phosphorus intergranular segregation in a range of pressure vessel steels is also discussed.


Keywords:
grain boundaries, segregation, neutron irradiation, steels, ductile-to-brittle transition, analytical electron microscopy

Paper ID: STP10533S
Committee/Subcommittee: E10.07
DOI: 10.1520/STP10533S
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