Three‐dimensional atom probe study of irradiated, annealed and re‐irradiated VVER 440 weld metals

摘要: The radiation embrittlement of the welds old VVER 440 reactor pressure vessels promoted research on technical ways to ensure their safe operation during design service life. One those is recovery annealing vessel. Today, very few data are available concerning re-irradiated materials. These essential in order understand mechanism re-embrittlement and be able predict evolution microstructure mechanical properties steel in-service re-irradiation. For that purpose a programme was launched carry out atom probe studies weld metals irradiated, irradiated–annealed conditions. This work demonstrates neutron irradiation promotes formation ultra-fine copper-enriched clusters solute segregation crystal defects these Cr–Mo–V steels. study annealed materials allows us explain how irradiated can recovered. Also, material points non-detection phosphorus behaviour Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.