Temperature-dependent microhardness of A533-B reactor pressure vessel steels

Journal Article · Fri Apr 01 04:00:00 EST 1983 · Nucl. Technol.; (United States)

OSTI ID:5445295

Shriver, B L

The operation of some early-generation light water reactors may be limited by the irradiation-induced embrittlement of their reactor vessels. Additional nondestructive methods of measuring the actual embrittlement are desirable to support limits placed on the operation of these vessels. Previous studies have indicated that the increase in microhardness with irradiation may correlate with shifts in the ductile-to-brittle transition temperature. However, the previous research did not consider variations in the test temperature to determine whether it affects the correlation with transition temperature or whether microhardness may correlate with the fracture energy outside the transition region. The Vickers microhardness measurements were made at eight temperatures from -195 to 90/sup 0/C (-320 to 200/sup 0/F) by holding the samples in a liquid bath during the application of the test load. Both unirradiated and irradiated samples were evaluated for the three A533-B steels. These tests indicate that the Vickers hardness may correlate with the strength and ductility of unirradiated steels. In addition, both the change in microhardness and the shift in test temperature at a constant hardness may correlate with the shift in transition temperature caused by irradiation.

• Research Organization: University of Virginia, Department of Nuclear Engineering and Engineering Physics, Charlottesville, Virginia 22901
• OSTI ID: 5445295
• Journal Information: Nucl. Technol.; (United States), Journal Name: Nucl. Technol.; (United States) Vol. 61:1; ISSN NUTYB
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

22 GENERAL STUDIES OF NUCLEAR REACTORS
220200* -- Nuclear Reactor Technology-- Components & Accessories
36 MATERIALS SCIENCE
360103 -- Metals & Alloys-- Mechanical Properties
ALLOYS
CONTAINERS
DUCTILE-BRITTLE TRANSITIONS
EMBRITTLEMENT
HARDNESS
IRON ALLOYS
IRON BASE ALLOYS
IRRADIATION
MATERIALS TESTING
MECHANICAL PROPERTIES
MICROHARDNESS
NONDESTRUCTIVE TESTING
PRESSURE VESSELS
REACTORS
STEELS
TEMPERATURE DEPENDENCE
TESTING
VICKERS HARDNESS
WATER COOLED REACTORS