Mechanical test and positron annihilation lineshape analysis have been performed on neutron irradiated pressure vessel steels, A533B1 steel and the weld metal. Marked changes in the mechanical properties were observed for both metals after the neutron exposure. S-parameters, the positron annihilation parameters, also increased after the neutron irradiation but only the small change was observed in the different levels of neutron fluence. The change in S-parameter and the mechanical properties were well correlated. It is concluded that changes in embrittlement induced by radiation can be monitored by positron annihilation lineshape analysis but detectability is dependent on the materials.