SEDL / STP / STP1125-EB / STP17947S

Effect of Neutron Irradiation on the Mechanical Properties of Microalloyed Steel for Reinforced Cement Concrete

Ganguly, C
Head, Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, Bombay,

Anantharaman, S
Scientific officer, Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, Bombay,

Sivaramakrishnan, KS
Scientific officer, Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, Bombay,

Pages: 7    Published: Jan 1992

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Abstract

Irradiation embrittlement of cold-twisted microalloyed bar to be used in the construction of reinforced cement concrete (RCC) structures surrounding the calandria or pressure vessels of nuclear reactors was studied at 1 × 10¹⁹ n/cm² (E > 1 MeV). The irradiations were carried out at <423 K. The results of the room temperature tension and the instrumented impact tests are presented. The increase in the yield strength of 230 MPa and the 111 K increase in the Charpy 41-J index temperature matched well with those of vintage pressure vessel steels irradiated to the same fluence at <370 K. These trends were used to predict the irradiation embrittlement at the lower fluence of 10¹⁷ n/cm² (E > 1 MeV) envisaged in the service life of such RCC structures.