Postirradiation Tensile, Creep, and Creep Rupture Data of Din 1.4948 Steel Weld Metal, Heat Affected Zones and Welded Joints of the SNR-300 Permanent Primary Structures

摘要

Full weld metal specimens from a wide groove weld were subjected to tensile and creep tests in as-deposited and stress-relieved condition. Heat-affected zones (HAZ) were simulated in full size standard specimens by subjecting raw cylinders to temperature cycles representative for HAZ. The tensile and creep properties of as-deposited and stress-relieved weld metal are not affected by the neutron irradiation. The HAZ shows a pronounced decrease in postirradiation tensile ductility and strength when decreasing the strain rate. The creep strength of welded joints is controlled by a strain limit criterion to prevent the HAZ becoming the weakest link of a welded joint after irradiation, grain growth and boron precipitation on grain boundaries must be suppressed.