Journal Published Online: 01 September 1983
Volume 11, Issue 5

A Pilot Experiment to Determine the Feasibility of Reconstituting Tested Irradiated Charpy V Specimens

CODEN: JTEVAB

Abstract

The role of the Charpy V impact test specimen is well established in irradiation studies of reactor pressure vessel materials and forms the basis for the safety justification of light-water reactor pressure vessels throughout their service life. This report details the experimental work carried out towards determining the feasibility of reconstituting further Charpy V specimens from previously tested Charpy V specimens. In this pilot study each broken half of an A533(B) (Unified Numbering System [UNS] K12539) type plate and a submerged are weld metal Charpy V specimen was electron beam welded between two extension pieces of compatible material (A533(B) plate) with matching cross section. After minimal machining each reconstituted Charpy V specimen was impact tested. To validate this technique, broken halves of three high and three low energy Army Materials and Mechanics Research Center (AMMRC) standardized calibration Charpy V specimens were also reconstituted. In addition, a simple photoelastic study was carried out on a replica Charpy V specimen made from birefringent material. This was an attempt to assess the minimum size of test material that could be reconstituted into a Charpy V specimen. In all instances the results were extremely encouraging, especially in the case of the reconstituted AMMRC specimens, and indicated both the feasibility and validity of reconstituting tested Charpy V specimens of low alloy steel reactor pressure vessel type materials. In addition, it is apparent that as small as a 10-mm “insert” of test material could be successfully reconstituted. The results are discussed and speculation made as to the potential use of this technique with respect to irradiated material.

Author Information

Burch, PR
Rolls-Royce and Associates, Ltd., Derby, United Kingdom
Pages: 8
Price: $25.00
Related
Reprints and Permissions
Reprints and copyright permissions can be requested through the
Copyright Clearance Center
Details
Stock #: JTE10689J
ISSN: 0090-3973
DOI: 10.1520/JTE10689J