Summaries of Neutron Fluence Rate Effects on Hardening and Embrittlement of Nuclear Reactor Pressure Vessel Steels

  • WANG Rongshan ,
  • XU Chaoliang ,
  • HUANG Ping ,
  • LIU Xiangbing
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  • Suzhou Nuclear Power Research Institute, Suzhou 215004, China

Received date: 2014-07-06

  Revised date: 2014-08-03

  Online published: 2014-11-15

Abstract

The effect of neutron fluence rate on hardening and embrittlement of nuclear reactor pressure vessel (RPV) is summarized. It is indicated that the effect of neutron fluence rate on hardening and embrittlement has different influences on low-Cu (Cu≤0.08%) and high-Cu (Cu>0.08%) RPV steels. The irradiation hardening and embrittlement have no relationship with neutron fluence rate up to 1×1012 n·cm-2·s-1 (E>1 MeV) in low-Cu RPV steel, but do not show definite connection if the fluence rate >1×1012 n·cm-2·s-1 (E>1 MeV). The hardening and embrittlement have nothing to do with the fluence rate if the plateau in Cu-related hardening is reached. The behavior of Cu-containing steels is more complex at the pre-plateau fluence.

Cite this article

WANG Rongshan , XU Chaoliang , HUANG Ping , LIU Xiangbing . Summaries of Neutron Fluence Rate Effects on Hardening and Embrittlement of Nuclear Reactor Pressure Vessel Steels[J]. Science & Technology Review, 2014 , 32(31) : 80 -84 . DOI: 10.3981/j.issn.1000-7857.2014.31.012

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