Fracture-safe operating criteria for commercial nuclear pressure vessels based on fracture analysis diagram procedures and Charpy-V energy trends are reappraised with respect to the effects of thick section mechanical constraint and low Charpy - V shelf energies resulting from neutron irradiation. Comparisons of the Charpy-V test with the more definitive dynamic tear test procedures indicate the former to be an acceptable means of assessing the fracture toughness of A533-B steel. The mechanical constraint associated with 12-in. thicknesses of this steel suggests the addition of 70 F (39 C) to the existing criterion requiring vessel operation above NDT + 60 F (33 C). Ratio analysis diagram procedures are shown to be useful in interpreting Charpy-V shelf level data obtained from vessel surveillance programs in terms of critical toughness levels relating to brittle fracture.
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A Reassessment of Fracture-Safe Operating Criteria for Reactor Vessel Steels Based on Charpy-V Performance
F. J. Loss,
F. J. Loss
Metallurgy Division (Code 6390), Naval Research Laboratory, Washington, D. C.
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J. R. Hawthorne,
J. R. Hawthorne
Metallurgy Division (Code 6390), Naval Research Laboratory, Washington, D. C.
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C. Z. Serpan, Jr.
C. Z. Serpan, Jr.
Metallurgy Division (Code 6390), Naval Research Laboratory, Washington, D. C.
Search for other works by this author on:
F. J. Loss
Metallurgy Division (Code 6390), Naval Research Laboratory, Washington, D. C.
J. R. Hawthorne
Metallurgy Division (Code 6390), Naval Research Laboratory, Washington, D. C.
C. Z. Serpan, Jr.
Metallurgy Division (Code 6390), Naval Research Laboratory, Washington, D. C.
J. Basic Eng. Jun 1971, 93(2): 247-258 (12 pages)
Published Online: June 1, 1971
Article history
Received:
July 30, 1970
Online:
October 27, 2010
Citation
Loss, F. J., Hawthorne, J. R., and Serpan, C. Z., Jr. (June 1, 1971). "A Reassessment of Fracture-Safe Operating Criteria for Reactor Vessel Steels Based on Charpy-V Performance." ASME. J. Basic Eng. June 1971; 93(2): 247–258. https://doi.org/10.1115/1.3425221
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