SANS study of high-copper RPV welds in irradiated and annealed conditions

Mikhail A. Sokolov, Steve Spooner, G. Robert Odette, Brian D. Wirth, Glenn E. Lucas

Research output: Contribution to journalConference articlepeer-review

20 Scopus citations

Abstract

Small-angle neutron scattering (SANS) has been used to study reactor pressure vessel (RPV) welds from the Heavy-Section Steel Irradiation (HSSI) Program. Each of the welds contains high bulk copper contents ranging from 0.26 to 0.40 wt%. The welds were irradiated in test reactors to fluences ranging from 0.5 to 1.9×1019 n/cm2 (E > 1 MeV). SANS measurements were performed to determine number density, radius, and volume fraction of irradiation-induced scattering centers which were consistent with copper-rich precipitates (CRPs). The bulk copper content had no effect on CRP number density, volume fraction, and average radius. Postirradiation annealing (PIA) was performed on the welds for 168 h at 343, 399, and 454°C. SANS measurements on these samples show that high temperature PIA decreases the CRP number density and volume fraction while increasing the average radius. The SANS data obtained on these welds are consistent with the University of California, Santa Barbara, database and comparison is made with two A533B type model alloys irradiated to a similar fluence and following PIA. Evolution of the CRP scattering centers with irradiation and PIA is compared to the changes in mechanical properties.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)333-345
Number of pages13
JournalASTM Special Technical Publication
Issue number1325
DOIs
StatePublished - 1999
EventProceedings of the 1996 18th International Symposium: Effects of Radiation on Materials - Hyannis, MA, USA
Duration: Jun 25 1996Jun 27 1996

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