Prediction of crack resistance in the case of brittle fracture of reactor pressure-vessel steels exposed to neutron irradiation part 1 // problems of strength

摘要

Modeling of the irradiation effect on brittle fracture toughness of reactor pressure-vessel (RPV) steels is performed on the basis of probabilistic model for fracture toughness prediction earlier proposed by the authors. The irradiation effect on parameters controlling plastic deformation and brittle fracture of RPV steels is analyzed. We study mechanisms of microcrack nucleation in cases without and with irradiation exposure, as well as after post-irradiation annealing.