SYMPOSIA PAPER Published: 01 January 1981
STP28207S

J-R Curve Characterization of A533-B Weld Metal with Irradiation and Postirradiation Annealing

Source

The potential benefit of a cyclic postirradiation annealing and reirradiation procedure is investigated as a means of mitigating the progressive embrittlement with irradiation of commercial reactor vessel steels. Material characterizations include two representative A533-B weld deposits, each containing a high copper impurity level which is associated with a high sensitivity to radiation. Assessments made on the basis of the J-R curve and tearing modulus show that intermediate annealing at 399°C has resulted in a recovery of half of the toughness which was lost with the first irradiation. Subsequent reirradiations, to a total fluence of twice that of the initial irradiation, have resulted in no additional loss in toughness, thereby suggesting a concept of embrittlement arrest associated with the annealing procedure.

The first evidence is presented of a correlation between the CV shelf energy and an average value of tearing modulus. While differences still exist between trends in CV and the tearing modulus, it appears that an analysis of vessel integrity with the tearing instability concept is possible based upon CV upper-shelf energy.

Author Information

Loss, FJ
Naval Research Laboratory, Washington, D.C.
Menke, BH
Naval Research Laboratory, Washington, D.C.
Gray, RA
Naval Research Laboratory, Washington, D.C.
Hawthorne, JR
Naval Research Laboratory, Washington, D.C.
Watson, HE
Naval Research Laboratory, Washington, D.C.
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Details
Developed by Committee: E10
Pages: 76–91
DOI: 10.1520/STP28207S
ISBN-EB: 978-0-8031-4794-2
ISBN-13: 978-0-8031-0755-7