SYMPOSIA PAPER Published: 01 January 1994
STP15109S

Boron Determinations in Pressure Vessel Steels

Source

Several studies have suggested that low-energy neutrons contribute to reactor pressure vessel (PV) embrittlement through interactions with boron impurities in the steel. Until now, the available information on boron contents in pressure vessel steels has been based on nominal concentrations or estimates provided by the materials manufacturers. To help resolve the question of boron contribution to PV steel embrittlement, samples of 38 different PV steels were analyzed by high-sensitivity gas mass spectrometry for their helium and boron contents. The boron contents were determined by measuring the increase in helium content in each material as a result of additional thermal neutron exposure. The results of these analyses showed natural boron contents that ranged from 0.23 to 5.11 wt. ppm in the various alloys.

Author Information

Oliver, BM
Rockwell International Corporation, Canoga Park, CA
McElroy, WN
Consultants and Technology Services, Richland, WA
Kellogg, LS
Battelle-Pacific Northwest Laboratory, Richland, WA
Farrar, H
, Bell Canyon, CA
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Details
Developed by Committee: E10
Pages: 167–176
DOI: 10.1520/STP15109S
ISBN-EB: 978-0-8031-5281-6
ISBN-13: 978-0-8031-1899-7