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U.S. Department of Energy
Office of Scientific and Technical Information

Status of knowledge of radiation embrittlement in USA reactor pressure vessel steels

Technical Report ·
OSTI ID:5149319
Advances by experimental research in the USA toward an improved understanding of property changes in steel by elevated temperature (approximately 288C) irradiation are summarized. Four areas of investigation are reviewed including the confirmation and demonstration of guidelines for radiation resistant steels, the isolation of metallurgical factors contributing to variable radiation embrittlement sensitivity, the qualification of in situ heat treatments for periodic vessel embrittlement relief, and the correlation of notch ductility and fracture toughness changes with irradiation. Overall, the current state of the art provides both a high capability for tailoring steels for radiation service in new vessel construction and a promising method for controlling radiation embrittlement buildup in existing vessel construction.
Research Organization:
Naval Research Lab., Washington, DC (USA)
OSTI ID:
5149319
Report Number(s):
NUREG/CR-2511; NRL-MR-4737
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English