Journal Published Online: 03 December 2009
Volume 38, Issue 2

Loading Rate Effect on the Master Curve Reference Temperature, , for the A533 B Material

CODEN: JTEVAB

Abstract

The National Institute for Nuclear Research in Mexico participated in the international research project “Master Curve Approach to Monitor the Fracture Toughness of Reactor Pressure Vessel in Nuclear Power Plants” coordinated by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), where the loading rate effect on the Master Curve reference temperature, T0, was investigated. The experimental program consisted in quasi-static and dynamic fracture toughness testing of precracked Charpy specimens on the IAEA reference reactor pressure vessel steel Japanese reference quality (JRQ) (A533 Grade B Class 1), which was analyzed with the Master Curve methodology. The tests were carried out in displacement control at two temperatures, −70 and −60°C, and at three load rates, dK/dt=0.1, 1, and 10 MPa√m/s. The determined reference temperatures, T0 (0.1 MPa√m/s)=−73.6±6.4°C, T0 (1 MPa√m/s)=−63.3±5.4°C, and T0 (10 MPa√m/s)=−50.3±5°C, are similar to those obtained by other laboratories [IAEA Second Meeting on Master Curve to Monitor the Fracture Toughness of RPVs in NPPs, November 2006, Dresden, Germany]. The shift in T0 within the quasi-static loading rate interval (0.1–2 MPa√m/s) recommended by ASTM E1921-05 [“Standard Test Method for Determination of Reference Temperature, T0, for Ferritic Steels in the Transistion Range,” Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol. 03.01, ASTM International, West Conshohocken, PA.] is 14.4°C and the shift in T0 between decades of dK/dt on logarithmic scale is 11°C. The empirical relation proposed by Wallin [“Effect of Strain Rate on the Fracture Toughness Reference Temperature T0 for Ferritic Steels,” Recent Advances in Fracture, R. K. Mahidhara , Eds., The Minerals, Metals and Materials Society, 1997, pp. 171–182] predicts very well the shift in T0 in the quasi-static loading regime (0.1–2 MPa√m/s). This work provides experimental support to limit the quasi-static loading rate interval in ASTM E1921.

Author Information

Hernández, Rogelio
National Institute for Nuclear Research, Carretera México-Toluca
Romero, Jesús
National Institute for Nuclear Research, Carretera México-Toluca
Vázquez, Salvador
National Institute for Nuclear Research, Carretera México-Toluca
Santillán, Manuel
National Institute for Nuclear Research, Carretera México-Toluca
Scibetta, Marc
Belgian Nuclear Research Centre SCK CEN, Mol, Belgium
Pages: 8
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Stock #: JTE102438
ISSN: 0090-3973
DOI: 10.1520/JTE102438