SYMPOSIA PAPER Published: 01 January 1983
STP31848S

Effect of Irradiation on Elastic-Plastic Toughness of Pressure Vessel Steels

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Irradiation experiments were conducted in order to determine the effect of radiation damage on the elastic-plastic ductile fracture toughness of pressure vessel steels. Curves for the J-integral versus crack growth resistance (Δa) were established on specimens taken out of two nuclear reactor pressure vessel steels before and after neutron irradiation at 290°C to a fluence of 3.1019 n/cm2 (work function energy E > 1 MeV). The Ja tests were performed at room temperature (25°C) and service temperature (290°C). The main results obtained are as follows:

• For Ja testing the tearing modulus appears to be the most sensitive parameter.

• The two steels have significant differences in toughness, depending on their sulfur content.

• The testing temperature strongly affects the Ja resistance curve.

• Irradiation affects Ja curves only slightly for one steel but more significantly for the other at 290°C.

• Changes in the Ja curves with irradiation and temperature seem difficult to predict from Charpy V results.

Author Information

Soulat, P
Saclay Nuclear Research Center, Atomic Energy Commission, Gif-sur-Yvette, France
Petrequin, P
Saclay Nuclear Research Center, Atomic Energy Commission, Gif-sur-Yvette, France
Houssin, B
Framatome, Paris la Defense, France
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Details
Developed by Committee: E10
Pages: 64–85
DOI: 10.1520/STP31848S
ISBN-EB: 978-0-8031-4885-7
ISBN-13: 978-0-8031-0263-7