SYMPOSIA PAPER Published: 01 January 1989
STP10397S

Status of Research to Assess Radiation Effects on Crack-Arrest Toughness of RPV Steels

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This paper provides an overview of work completed and in progress worldwide to study the effect of radiation on the static crack-arrest toughness, KIa, of reactor pressure vessel steels. The impetus for obtaining such data is the desire to realistically assess the need to repair or retire vessels that have been exposed to radiation in service, and to avoid the sometimes unnecessary conservatism associated with safety analyses when no KKIa data are available.

The paper reviews recent developments toward achieving an ASTM standard test method for measuring KIa. It demonstrates also the acceptability of using crack-arrest specimens that are appreciably smaller than those used frequently in the past, thereby increasing the practicability of studying radiation effects on KIa.

The review points out that the data currently available for assessing radiation effects on KIa are very limited: only 36 of the more than 900 test results in the Battelle/United States Nuclear Regulatory Commission (USNRC) Crack Arrest Data Bank are for irradiated specimens. Nonetheless, those limited data suggest procedures for estimating radiation effects on KIa that are more realistic (less conservative) than those currently specified in Section XI of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code. Additional tests that include several fluence levels and wider ranges of composition are required, however, to verify the modified procedures or to reveal alternate approaches.

Author Information

Marschall, CW
Battelle, Columbus, OH
Rosenfield, AR
Battelle, Columbus, OH
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Details
Developed by Committee: E10
Pages: 217–225
DOI: 10.1520/STP10397S
ISBN-EB: 978-0-8031-5074-4
ISBN-13: 978-0-8031-1187-5