SYMPOSIA PAPER Published: 01 January 2001
STP10545S

Composition Effects on the Radiation Embrittlement of Iron Alloys

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The effects of copper, phosphorus and nickel on radiation embrittlement were investigated using an irradiation experiment at surveillance positions in two Russian VVER-type reactors with 8 iron-base testing alloys. Chemical composition varied between 0.015 to 0.42 % Cu, 0.002 to 0.039 % P, 0.01 to 1.98 % Ni, 0.09 to 0.37 % Si, and 0.35 to 0.49 % Mn. Charpy-V impact tests and tensile tests were performed with specimens machined from these alloys. The specimen were tested in the as-received state, in the irradiated state (fluence: 1×1019 and 8×1019 cm-2 [En > 0.5 MeV]) and in the post-irradiation annealed state.

Irradiation produces significant hardening and embrittlement. The effect increases with the Cu and P content. Ni causes an additional embrittlement. It does not depend on the Ni content within the range of 1.1 to 2 % Ni. The irradiation effect can be eliminated by annealing at 475 °C / 100 h but not absolutely in the case of high Cu or P content.

Small angle neutron scattering experiments of these alloys show that not only the volume fraction but also the type of the radiation defects vary in dependence on the composition of the alloys.

Author Information

Böhmert, J
Institute for Safety Research at the Research Center Rossendorf Inc., Dresden, Germany
Ulbricht, A
Institute for Safety Research at the Research Center Rossendorf Inc., Dresden, Germany
Kryukov, A
Kurchatov Institute, Moscow, Russia
Nikolaev, Y
Kurchatov Institute, Moscow, Russia
Erak, D
Kurchatov Institute, Moscow, Russia
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Details
Developed by Committee: E10
Pages: 383–398
DOI: 10.1520/STP10545S
ISBN-EB: 978-0-8031-5454-4
ISBN-13: 978-0-8031-2878-1