SYMPOSIA PAPER Published: 01 January 1994
STP23969S

Effects of Neutron Irradiations at Temperatures Below 500°C on the Properties of Cold Worked 316 Stainless Steels: A Review

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Many components used in the pressure vessel of French pressurized water reactors are made of austenitic stainless steels : 316L for screws, 304L for core barrel and baffle assembly, etc. Among these components, the most irradiated ones undergo an average damage rate of about 1 dpa/an at temperatures which may reach about 400°C. Such irradiations may have very detrimental effects on the in-service behaviour of austenitic steels. In order to forecast these effects, Electricité de France has defined important programmes of studies. In the framework of these programmes, we have carried out a review concerning the effects of irradiations at relatively low temperatures (i. e. 500°C) on cold-worked 316 stainless steel. We were particularly interested in the evolution of microstructure as well as tensile (with or without notch), creep, fatigue (with or without creep) and fracture toughness properties. In some cases, we have also analysed the influence of cold-work level, irradiation temperature and test temperature. For some mechanical properties, the data was sufficient to qualitatively predict the properties of cold worked 316 stainless steels after long — term irradiations under PWR conditions.

Author Information

Van Duysen, JC
Electricité de France, Direction des Etudes et Recherches, les Renardières, France
Todeschini, P
Electricité de France, Direction des Etudes et Recherches, les Renardières, France
Zacharie, G
Electricité de France, Direction des Etudes et Recherches, les Renardières, France
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Details
Developed by Committee: E10
Pages: 747–776
DOI: 10.1520/STP23969S
ISBN-EB: 978-0-8031-5262-5
ISBN-13: 978-0-8031-1488-3