skip to main content
OSTI.GOV title logo U.S. Department of Energy
Office of Scientific and Technical Information

Title: Nondestructive evaluation of neutron irradiation embrittlement for reactor vessel steel by magnetomechanical acoustic emission technique

Conference ·
OSTI ID:679509
;  [1]; ; ; ;  [2]
  1. Japan Power Engineering and Inspection Corp., Yokohama (Japan)
  2. Toshiba Corp., Yokohama (Japan)

A modified magnetomechanical acoustic emission (MAE) technique denoted Pulse MAE, in which the magnetizing current has a rectangular wave form, was developed as an NDE technique. Its applicability to the radiation damage for reactor pressure vessel steel was evaluated. The reactor pressure vessel steel A533B base metal and weld metal were irradiated to the two fluence levels: 5 {times} 10{sup 22} and 3 {times} 10{sup 23} n/m{sup 2} at 288 C. One side of the specimen was electropolished after irradiation. Pulse MAE signals were measured with a 350 kHz resonance frequency AE sensor at the moment when the magnetizing voltage is applied from zero to the set-up value abruptly. The AE signals were analyzed and the peak voltage Vp was determined for the measuring parameter. The peak voltage Vp showed the tendency to increase monotonically with increasing neutron fluence. The relationship between the Vp and mechanical properties such as yield stress, tensile strength and Charpy transition temperature were also obtained. The Pulse MAE technique proved to have the possibility to detect and evaluate the neutron irradiation embrittlement. The potential of the Pulse MAE as an effective NDE technique and applicability to the actual components are discussed.

OSTI ID:
679509
Report Number(s):
CONF-960643-; TRN: 99:009442
Resource Relation:
Conference: 18. symposium on effects of radiation on materials, Hyannis, MA (United States), 25-27 Jun 1996; Other Information: PBD: 1999; Related Information: Is Part Of Effects of radiation on materials: 18. international symposium; Nanstad, R.K. [ed.] [Oak Ridge National Lab., TN (United States)]; Hamilton, M.L.; Garner, F.A. [eds.] [Pacific Northwest National Lab., Richland, WA (United States)]; Kumar, A.S. [ed.] [Univ. of Missouri, Rolla, MO (United States)]; PB: 1261 p.; ASTM special technical publication 1325
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English