Analysis of gamma ray displacement damage in Light Water Reactor pressure vessels
In addition to fast neutrons, the copious energetic gamma rays, present in a reactor environment, induce displacement damage in the reactor pressure vessel. The contribution of gamma ray damage to embrittlement is most pronounced in reactors with large water gaps separating the core from the reactor pressure vessel. Water moderates the energies of fast neutrons much more effectively than it attenuates the high energy gamma flux, and thus enhances the high energy gamma flux, incident on the vessel relative to the fast neutron flux. In this paper, an analysis of computer transport calculations is presented which quantifies the relative contribution of gamma ray damage in various pressure vessels. The results indicate that gamma ray damage must be included for accurate predictions of radiation-induced embrittlement.
- Research Organization:
- Argonne National Lab. (ANL), Argonne, IL (United States)
- Sponsoring Organization:
- USDOE, Washington, DC (United States)
- DOE Contract Number:
- W-31-109-ENG-38
- OSTI ID:
- 93631
- Report Number(s):
- ANL/MSD/CP-86640; CONF-950816-3; ON: DE95014100
- Resource Relation:
- Conference: 7. international symposium on environmental degradation of materials in nuclear power plants: water reactors, Breckenridge, CO (United States), 6-10 Aug 1995; Other Information: PBD: May 1995
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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