No abstract

International audienceIt is well accepted that the reirradiation behaviour of reactor pressure vessel (RPV) steel after annealing can be different from the original irradiation behaviour. We present the first small-angle neutron scattering (SANS) study of neutron irradiated, annealed and reirradiated VVER440-type RPV weld material. The SANS results are analysed both in terms of the size distribution of irradiation-induced defect/solute atom clusters and in terms of the ratio of total and nuclear scattering intensity in a saturation magnetic field (A-ratio). The measured A-ratio is compared with calculations performed on the basis of the cluster composition reported for a similar weld material investigated by means of three-dimensional atom probe field ion microscopy. The observed deviation between both estimates and possible reasons for the discrepancy are discussed. Special emphasis is placed on the differences between the materials response to the original irradiation and to reirradiation after annealing. The results indicate that reirradiation-induced clusters are slightly different in their average composition and their formation saturates at a lower volume fraction than in the case of the original irradiation

No abstract

This paper presents results of radiation-induced nanoscale microstructural changes measured by Small-Angle Neutron Scattering (SANS) on ASTM-type reactor pressure vessel (RPV) steels. Five different base metals and one weld metal were investigated. The irradiation was performed in a VVER-type power reactor to three different dose levels, maximally 0.14 dpa, at an irradiation temperature of 255°C. The volume content of the micostructural features measured is correlated with the irradiation hardening and embrittlement. In every case clear radiation-related hardening, embrittlement, and microstrucural effects are proven. Radiation produces nanoscale scattering defects of a radius between 0 < R < 3 nm with the maximum near R = 1 nm. Fluence and chemical composition do not or hardly change the shape of the size distribution but strongly influence the volume fraction. The radiation sensitivity is mainly influenced by the copper content. Copper also increases the A-ratio. There are good correlations between volume fraction of the nanoscale radiation defects and the radiation hardening or embrittlement. Annealing at 475°C produces almost full recovery of the mechanical properties. However, the original microstructure of the unirradiated state is not completely reproduced.

No abstract