Effect of neutron irradiation on the mechanical properties of type 348 stainless steel in-pile pressure tubes

Technical Report · Mon Jun 01 04:00:00 EDT 1981

OSTI ID:5620796

Fischer, R L

This report presents the results of a post-irradiation destructive examination of a Type 348 stainless steel inpile pressure tube, which was removed from the Advanced Test Reactor after exposure to a peak fluence of 3.2 x 10/sup 22/ n/cm/sup 2/ (E > 1.0 MeV). This in-core portion of the tube operated under a hoop stress of 10,500 psi at a mean wall temperature of 725/sup 0/F. The test results indicate the occurrance of radiation saturation of the tensile, elongation, and fracture toughness properties, a reduced but adequate 800/sup 0/F creep-rupture strength, and the absence of 800/sup 0/F notch sensitivity. Radiation induced changes in density and thermal diffusivity were minimal. The material incurred an in-reactor creep of 1.8% and a concomitant stress relaxation. Transmission electron microscopy also indicates that radiation-induced lattice damage had achieved saturation.

• Research Organization: Bettis Atomic Power Lab., West Mifflin, PA (USA)
• DOE Contract Number: AC11-76PN00014
• OSTI ID: 5620796
• Report Number(s): WAPD-TM-1489; ON: DE82004739
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE
360106* -- Metals & Alloys-- Radiation Effects
ALLOYS
CHROMIUM ALLOYS
CHROMIUM STEELS
CHROMIUM-NICKEL STEELS
CORROSION RESISTANT ALLOYS
CREEP
FRACTURE PROPERTIES
IRON ALLOYS
IRON BASE ALLOYS
MECHANICAL PROPERTIES
NICKEL ALLOYS
NIOBIUM ADDITIONS
NIOBIUM ALLOYS
PERFORMANCE TESTING
PHYSICAL RADIATION EFFECTS
RADIATION EFFECTS
STAINLESS STEEL-348
STAINLESS STEELS
STEELS
TENSILE PROPERTIES
TESTING