Low-Cycle Fatigue of the Equipment of Nuclear Power Plants Made of 15Kh2MFA Steel

摘要

We summarize experimental data on the low-cycle fatigue resistance of 15Kh2MFA steel, which is widely used in VVER-440 reactors, and its welds. These results were obtained for a fairly great number of melts of the base metal (21 melts) and welds (16 specimens). We compare these experimental data with the reference curve for low-alloy heat-resistant steels according to the Standards PNAE G-7-002-86 currently in force. We show that the values of safety factor n_(sigma) = 2 and n_N = 10 are provided in the assessment of fatigue strength for equipment made of 15Kh2MFA steel, which is very important in connection with the extension of the service life of VVER reactor vessels for 10-15 year.