Effect of Neutron Flux at High Fluence on Microstructural and Hardness Changes of RPV Steels

摘要: The effect of the neutron flux at high fluence on microstructural and hardness changes reactor pressure vessel (RPV) steels was investigated in succession to previous study [1]. An accelerated test irradiation copper containing RPV materials, previously irradiated commercial reactors, carried out lowest possible fluxes order obtain fluences up approximately 1×1020 n/cm2 (E>1MeV). State-of-the-art experimental techniques such as three-dimensional atom probe were applied carry advanced quantitative characterization defect features materials. Results for same materials both low conditions are compared. For above 6×1019 (E>1MeV) difference dependence increase is not seen any condition. number densities diameters solute clusters tend be lower larger, respectively, than that while volume fraction increases linearly with increasing fluence, significant. component elements chemical composition formed by material do change regardless flux. square root provides a good correlation hardness.Copyright © 2010 ASME